Drill Teams Make Solid Showing in Portsmouth Competition

Report from LTC Robert Hunt USA(ret), Senior Army Instructor

The Fishburne Military School Color Guard and Drill Teams competed at the Woodrow Wilson Drill Meet in Portsmouth, Virginia on Saturday December 8th. The Color Guard and Drill Teams had an early morning wake up (0400 or dark early) and traveled 3 and half hours on the FMS bus, arriving just in time to start competing in the 17th Annual JROTC Drill Meet.

The Color Guard had an outstanding performance against tough competition and received the third place trophy. the Exhibition platoon and squad drill teams (Hudgins Rifles) performed the most difficult routines in team history and received a rousing round of applause from the other teams and the parents that attended the meet.

Cadet Morrison commanded the exhibition squad drill team and did an outstanding job choreographing and executing the complex performance. Cadet Thomas was the exhibition platoon drill team commander and he also prepared and led the team in an exceptional manner.

Two cadets received individual awards for armed knockout competition. Cadet Amico received a first place  medal and Cadet Morrison-Rogers received a second place medal out of over 70 cadets.

Although the regulation teams did not win a trophy they had some excellent performances. Cadets Kim, Ratcliffe, and Lind all received high scores from the judges and just missed out on placing in the top three. The comportment of all cadets throughout the long day was noteworthy.

The next drill meet is February 2nd at Huguenot HS in Richmond, Virginia.