Cadets from Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro took center stage this weekend during JROTC 4th Brigade’s Cadet Leadership Challenge at Fort Pickett.
Dubbed JCLC Eagle, the week-long leadership course included over 300 JROTC cadets and 100 instructors from throughout Cadet Command’s 4th Brigade, which is headquartered at Ft. Bragg, NC.
Throughout the course of the week, Cadets received training in a number of JROTC skills such as rappelling, first-aid, water safety, land navigation, as well as one-rope bridge construction and crossing. Cadets were also challenged to complete a Leadership Reaction Course which requires leadership skills, critical thinking and creative problem solving in order to lead squads through a number of complex obstacles.
As the three companies of Cadets rotated between training blocks, Cadet leaders were charged with organizing daily schedules, training rotations, group movements (from squad to company level), along with risk management such as cooling stations and safety procedures. Army Instructors provided primary station training and continually ranked, graded and coached the student-leaders in all aspects of training.
Cadets from Fishburne Military School excelled throughout the training and, by week’s end, earned positions as Company Commanders for two of the three companies formed. Caissons also earned positions as Company Executive Officer and Company First Sergeant.Fishburne’s Senior Army Instructor, LTC Robert Hunt USA(ret.), explained “Fishburne has performed remarkably well all week long. Earning two of the top three leadership positions at summer camp is unprecendented for a school of any size. I can’t say enough about the outstanding performance of our young men.”
Of the twelve Cadets from Fishburne Military School, Cadet Cody Chapple (Grottoes, VA) was promoted to the Command of Alpha Company, Cadet Alex Ralston (Nellysford, VA) earned the top command position for Bravo Company, Cadet Jacob Randall (Stafford, VA) worked his way up to Company First Sergeant, Cadet Denver Druey (Pompano Beach, FL) was named as a Platoon Leader and Cadet Zachary Smithley (Wilmington, NC) was named as an Honor Graduate with the second-highest cadet rating of all 320 students. Smithley also distinguished himself by posting the highest number of consecutive push-ups of any cadet at Camp Eagle.
Chapple and Ralston were both named to the Commandant’s List (top 3% of cadets) for JCLC Eagle.
“These young men,” Hunt continued, “will join previous JCLC graduates at Fishburne to form the backbone of Cadet Leadership within the FMS Corps of Cadets. Our young men have a tremendous advantage in that they will be able to put their new leadership skills into practical use right away.”
Fishburne Military School is the oldest and smallest of all military schools for boys in Virginia. Its college-prep curriculum is built upon the structure of an Army JROTC program. FMS is designated as a JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction and may nominate qualified candidates to the United States Service Academies. Fishburne hosts one of only four Summer JROTC programs in the nation, accredited by US Army Cadet Command. For more information visit www.fishburne.org.
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