Daleville High School JROTC attends leadership camp

Students involved in JROTC had a unique opportunity this summer to attend JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) camp. The JCLC camp is a five-day summer camp for JROTC cadets.

“Traditionally, in the past, the camp has been held at Fort. McClellan where cadets learned land navigation, platoon tactics and things like that. Now because of technology advances we have transitioned to a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) camp,” Col. (ret.) Teresa Townsend said. “Camp is now held at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Birmingham.  Not only do cadets get traditional JROTC leadership training, they also are exposed to STEM activities. The Space and Rocket Center is probably the perfect place for them to get that.”

Cadets are divided up into teams based on evaluations performed by instructors from different schools. “They are divided up into teams and evaluated by instructors from different schools. They were not with me the whole time,” Col. Townsend said. “They really got to test the leadership training that we do with them here against cadets from all over the state.”

While at the camp, cadets participated in rappelling, zip lining, water survival training, flight simulators, zero gravity, and a simulated helicopter crash as well as different STEM activities led by instructors from the Space and Rocket Center.

Cadet Jazmin Bonam recalled her first time rappelling as scary.  “We conquered our fears,” Bonam said.  

Cadets say they learned teamwork, outdoor living and survival skills, met new people, and had to adapt to working in the elements. “Camp is fun but sometimes you have to adjust due to weather and other variables,” Deras said.

Another facet of being away at camp was learning how to communicate with people of different backgrounds and with different experiences. Deras said that he encountered several cadets that were “strong minded” and insisted on having things their way. Cadets learned that sometimes it is better to walk away and sometimes people have to learn from their mistakes.

Cadet Lauren Perkins said, “You need to broaden your communication skills to work with different people.”

Cadets are chosen for JCLC camp based on grades, character and JROTC recommendation derived from how they are developing as a leader. “The camp is for cadets who show potential to serve in leadership,” Col. Townsend said. “The camp is the final test for evaluation of who goes in what position.”

In their small amount of free time, students were able to visit the Space and Rocket Center museum. “I feel like every thing was kind of crammed. The days were full, there was so much required that we did not have a lot of free time. I wish that the camp was longer,” Deras said.

“There was so much packed into each day that you are not on a regular schedule,” Col. Townsend said. “You have to be up at a certain time. The days started early and they were busy the whole day.”

Leadership development was a focus at this camp. “For the first time at this camp, cadets rotated in and out of leadership positions,” Col. Townsend said. “They had to serve as platoon leaders, company command, and squad leader for the day for their team.”

Deras, the Battalion Commander, feels that the overall experience was good for everyone. “Each cadet truly gained something. You only get out what you put in,” Deras said.

Overall, the cadets say they enjoyed rappelling, the PT challenge and meeting new people.  

Students were not allowed to have cell phones when they arrived at camp. Cadets said not having phones or any outside technology was fine. They stayed so busy they did not have time for phones.

“JCLC camp is something our cadets look forward to every year. They are already talking about and planning for next year,” Col. Townsend said.