Formal Inspection Team
The Ottumwa High School Bulldog Battalion JROTC Drill Team, Color Guard Teams and Raider Team recently competed in the North High School Invitational in the categories of: New Cadet Drill, Unarmed Regulation Drill, Armed Color Guard (male and female team), Formal Inspection (with questions) and Marine Physical Fitness Test.
The Bulldog Battalion took second place in Formal Inspection and fifth place on the test. The Color Guard teams both placed in the top eight, and the battalion placed third in the Marine Fitness Test.
The meet included 12 teams from four states (MO, KS, NE, and IA), representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. In the Color Guard category, each team had a minimum of two teams competing (24 teams total).
The formal inspection included an “In Ranks” inspection of every cadet. All uniform accoutrements were checked for proper positioning and cleanliness. Each cadet was asked a series of questions ranging from who is the Commander in Chief to the names of the five beaches on D-Day.
The New Cadet routine is open to any cadet who is taking part in drill for their first year. The regulation team demonstrated a series of maneuvers and competed head to head with all services JROTC’S drill teams.
The Marine Physical Fitness Test included two minutes of push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups (or flex arm hang for females); 600 yard shuttle run; a 100 yard tractor tire flip; and a one mile run as a group. The tire flip, shuttle run, and pull-ups were new events for the Ottumwa Raiders.
