The University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program hosted nearly 100 area high school Junior ROTC members at the Dome on March 7 for the second annual Junior ROTC Fitness Challenge. Organized exclusively by Syracuse cadets, the event supports physical fitness and exposes JROTC members to future educational and ROTC opportunities.
The University’s Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program hosted nearly 100 area high school Junior ROTC members at the Dome on March 7 for the second annual Junior ROTC Fitness Challenge.
The Junior ROTC cadets, along with cadre and local recruiters, represented programs from across upstate New York, including Mexico Academy & Central District Marine Corps JROTC, Proctor Naval JROTC in Utica, Western Maritime Buffalo Naval JROTC and Carthage Army JROTC near Fort Drum outside Watertown, New York.
“The JROTC fitness challenge is a great opportunity for current and future cadets,” says Lieutenant Colonel Jason Warner, Army ROTC at Syracuse University, speaking of his cadets. “These students are cadets today but soon they will be the leaders in our military force. We are proud to be part of a school that values and prioritizes military service.”
The event kicked off with a presentation from Syracuse admissions representatives to educate JROTC cadets on different education paths beyond high school through the ROTC program, including scholarship opportunities and support the University provides.
The challenge involved a number of physical fitness tests, including running, push-ups, sit-ups, running the Dome stairs and a dead-man carry across the turf using a 105-pound dummy.
Throughout the challenge, SU ROTC cadets demonstrated the leadership skills attained through the ROTC program as they guided and encouraged teams of junior cadets to finish the competition strong.
Warner ended the ceremony by awarding the first-, second- and third-place teams and their respective Army ROTC leaders. Cadets who showed qualities that matched the values of the Syracuse ROTC program, such as leadership, strength, teamwork and a commitment to serve, were identified as their team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and awarded a Syracuse University ROTC coin.
The SU ROTC college leadership program educates and trains cadets on officership, values, standards and operations, while providing mentorship and scholarship to enhance college education.
The JROTC fitness challenge is another example of Syracuse University’s commitment to veterans and the military-connected community. Established in 1919, Syracuse University boasts the longest consecutively running ROTC program in the country.
