JROTC Take On Leadership Challenge At Schofield Barracks

By CADET CAPT. BRANDEE SCHILLER

Special to Central Oahu Islander

Schofield Barracks was occupied March 16 by more than 350 JROTC cadets, who came from across the state to test their fitness and military skills at the 44th JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC).

JCLC allows cadets to practice their leadership and citizenship skills while participating in adventure training and having fun.

Upon arrival, cadets were greeted by leaders from Advanced JCLC and divided into four training groups, each with its own chain of command.

The cadets participated in such training as rappelling an 80-foot mountain slope, constructing and crossing a rope bridge, navigating an obstacle course, and tackling the leadership reaction course, a multistage exercise designed to test and build leadership skills.

Four training stations were situated throughout Schofield Barracks and used to determine each cadet’s particular strengths and weaknesses.

Volunteers from 25th Infantry Division and 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regiment were on hand to assist and inspire cadets who struggled.

“I strongly believe motivation does increase spirit and energy only if everyone puts forth their best effort,” said Mililani High School freshman Travis Afuso.

During the four-day camp, cadets were required to obey Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honesty, integrity and personal courage.

“Being a leader was a challenge because you constantly had to be accountable for your unit and understand the training plan for the current day, but cadets in the staff and in similar positions helped assist when things got difficult,” noted Cadet Maj. Kainalu Gandia, an 11th-grader at Kapaa High School.