Fishburne Hosts 8th Annual JROTC Raider Challenge

Fort Pickett, Va – The Fishburne Military School and the Virginia National Guard hosted the 8^th Annual JROTC Raider Challenge on April 16^th and 17^th.

The JROTC Raider Challenge is an annual competition that featured 20 high schools from Virginia and North Carolina. Army JROTC Raider teams were tested in five categories: physical fitness, orienteering, one rope bridge, first aid/litter carry, and a 5-k forced march/run. Each event tested the Raiders both physically and mentally. All Raider meets start with an individual event called the Modified Physical Fitness Test.

Participants were tested on their ability to perform push-ups, sit-ups, and a one-mile run. Teams were divided up into three rotational events: orienteering, one rope bridge, and first aid/litter carry. During the orienteering event, each team is tested on their ability to read a map and use a compass to negotiate a 20-point course over a large wooded area that requires training and pathfinder skills. It was in this event that the Fishburne Raider team finished in first place having found 17 out of 20 points. At the one rope bridge, the Raiders were tested on the speed and teamwork required to build a bridge used to cross over an obstacle. In this event, the Fishburne Raider team received a fourth place trophy. The next rotational event is the first aid/litter carry. Each team must work together in order to treat a simulated casualty and then transport that person to safety as fast as possible. The culminating event and most challenging team event was the 5-K forced march/run during which teams must stay within five meters of each other. This event was performed in boots and full uniform. Teams were released at one minute intervals so as to allow some to pass others during the race. Staggered departures added excitement for everyone watching and waiting anxiously as they heard the course evaluators yell out the teams when they approached the finish line. Overall Fishburne placed in the top five out of twenty teams.

At the Raider meet, the eight-person teams that represented their schools competed for both team and individual recognition. Many of the Raiders felt physically exhausted and yet they were mentally enriched as well as full of pride and spirit.

Although the meet was hosted by Fishburne Military School at Fort Pickett, the Virginia Army National Guard played an important role in making the Raider Challenge happen. They evaluated the One Rope Bridge, First Aid Litter Carry and the 5K Forced Road March events. The Virginia Army National Guard also provided a water trailer and medics. They made sure that the Raiders had fun but safety was always emphasized.

The 8^th Annual Raider Guard Meet was very successful. Many of the Raider coaches commented on how wonderfully all the events was conducted. LTC Tom Jones, from Heidke Trask High School, provided a few comments that best summarize the overall success of the event.

“I have always enjoyed your meet but I wanted to tell you that the “welcoming attitude” of the host unit this year was the best ever and exceeded that which I have witnessed at this or any other meet. Specifically, SFC Mayberry at the rope bridge site was particularly instructive and encouraging toward our cadets.  Also, SGT Harden at the First Aid/Litter Carry was more than patient in his instructions and in being sure that we completely understood the expectations at that site.  On whole, everybody was friendly and professional. Given a chance, please pass that along.”

The participating cadets on the FMS Raider team lead by the Raider Commander Ulrich were: Barton, Green, Knapp, Rigg, Rogers, Valverde, Whitlow, Baird. The cadet support staff included: Darwin, Barat, Cleveland, Guimond, Thomas, Pinner, McMullen, Abramov.

Thanks,

Col. Hunt

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD/FISHBURNE RAIDER MEET   17 APR 2010

OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS OF RAIDER GUARD 2010

TOP 5

1st Place – Magna Vista High School

2nd Place – Lee County High School

3rd Place – Orange County High School

4th Place – Harrisonburg High School

5th Place – Fishburne Military School

INDIVIDUAL PT WINNERS

ONE MILE RUN

MALE FEMALE

1^ST JENKINS         WEST POTOMAC               1^ST HARRISON     MASSOPNAX

2^ND GILLELAN     MANCHESTER                   2^ND CLAPPER       ORANGE COUNTY

3^RD ASHBY           COURTLAND                      3^RD MOFFEY         PETERSBURG

PUSH UPS

1^ST HEYSON         LEE COUNTY                      1^ST ANGELO         SPOTSYLANVIA

2^ND TOWNES         LEE COUNTY                      2^ND WALKER         MAGNA VISTA

3^RD VALENCIE     HEIDE TRASK                     3^RD WALDEN         PETERSBURG

SIT-UPS

1^ST INGRAM          BASSETT                             1^ST WALKER         MAGNA VISTA

2^ND SANTIAGO      HARRISONBURG               2^ND JONES              LEE COUNTY

3^RD CRANKSHAW  LEE COUNTY                    3^RD CLAPPER        ORANGE COUNTY