Drill Sergeant Judge JROTC Drill Competition

By Lt. Col. Allan Dollison and Capt. Javier Soiza

2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET)

SAN JACINTO, Calif. — On Saturday, Feb. 7, drill sergeants from 2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET), traveled to nearby San Jacinto High School to serve as judges for a Multi-Service JROTC combined drill competition. Drill Sergeant’s Sgt. 1st Class Michael Luna, Staff Sgt. Nathan Doffing, Staff Sgt. Dana Osei, Staff Sgt. Erik Moseley and Sgt. Maria Florez participated in the competition. The competition was held during regular Saturday Battle Assembly, only 15 minutes from the company headquarters, so it was really convenient.

For Luna, who is also the acting first sergeant of the company, it was an important event to support. She teaches at this high school as a civilian. “It gave me an opportunity to see these kids wearing their Cadet Uniform, and conversely, it gave them the opportunity to see me wearing my Army Reserve Uniform,” Luna said.

Retired Air Force Col. Robert “Dan” North runs the program, which has over 200 cadets. “Not all of these young students end up joining the military, but for the ones that do, it helps them make rank upon first entering the service,” North said. “It also helps them learn discipline and generally helps them do better in school, in my opinion,” he added.

The event is growing in popularity and was truly remarkable, stated North, “It was an incredible success. Last year we had five high schools participate. This year we had thirteen.”

Although San Jacinto HS has a large program, the competition was open to other nearby schools adding to the rivalry and spirit of the competition. Cadets were graded on various aspects; bearing, wear and appearance of the uniform, military knowledge and the execution of military commands while assembled as a four cadet Color Guard Team.

“I love the Army and I love this school that I teach at, so this is my opportunity to use my knowledge and observations to help these kids perform one of the more difficult tasks for young people in the military, and that is Drill and Ceremony,” Luna stated.

Drill Sergeants of course expect perfection, and although they are respectful to these outstanding high school kids, they do give them a taste of what drill sergeants will be like in basic training in terms of demanding that perfection.

North commented, “The drill meet will be “fondly” remembered by many cadets from the various participating schools. A few of the cadets shared a “war story” or two with me about the superb Judging Team, which I am certain, will be shared with friends and acquaintances back at their respective schools.”

Having just come back from the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy last November, Florez is the newest drill sergeant in the company. She is very motivated and eager to practice her trade. This outstanding drill sergeant volunteered for additional duty at both Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Every chance Florez gets to fill her role as a drill sergeant, she jumps at it.

In all, participating with local high schools and judging their competitions are win-wins for both the school and the battalion. Our drill sergeants get to practice and present a positive shining example of the Army Reserve in the community for the cadets, their parents and Family and the local community who observed the competition.

Drill Sgt. Maria Florez, 2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET) confronts an Army ROTC Cadet, who tries not to flinch. Photo by Lt. Col. Allan Dollison, 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sgt. Erik Moseley, 2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET) inspects NJROTC cadets as he begins the evaluation/grading process. Photo by Lt. Col. Allan Dollison, 95th Training Division (IET)

The cadet is standing tall as Drill Sgt. Maria Florez, 2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET) contemplates her grade. Drill Sgt. Michael Luna, 2nd Bn, 413th Regt., 95th Training Division (IET) is inspecting another cadet in the background. Photo by Lt. Col. Allan Dollison, 95th Training Division (IET)