Writer – CW4 (r) Brian Harris
Photographer – CW4 (r) Brian Harris & SGM (r) Richard Lundy
Future leaders were forged as 180 JROTC Cadets from Fulton and Cherokee County Schools converged for the annual Fulton County Schools JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC), held from 26 – 30 May 2025. This immersive experience took place at Columbus State University and Fort Benning, providing Cadets with a unique blend of academic and military environments.
The mission of JCLC is “to provide an environment conducive to the practical application of good citizenship and leadership techniques and introduce cadets to life in a military and college environment.” Throughout the five-day camp, cadets were pushed to their limits, engaging in a variety of challenging and developmental activities.
Ten high schools participated in this year’s JCLC, including Banneker, Centennial, Creekside, Creekview, Langston Hughes, North Springs, Riverwood, Roswell, Tri-Cities, and Westlake.
The action-packed schedule commenced on Monday with inprocessing and an opening ceremony. Daily activities included early morning physical training and breakfast provided by Columbus State’s Cougar Cafe. Cadets then transitioned to Fort Benning for a rigorous training schedule including:
- Malvesti Obstacle Course: Testing physical and mental agility.
- Team Development Course: Fostering teamwork and problem-solving.
- Rappel Tower: Building confidence and overcoming fears.
- Military Static Displays: Cadets viewed equipment such as Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Strykers.
- Clark Simulation Center: Engaging in map reading, airborne, and convoy simulations.
- Robotics/Drone Center of Excellence: Exploring modern military technology.
- Combat Water Survival (CWS): Enhancing water confidence and survival skills.
- Air Ambulance and EOD Demonstrations: Providing insight into specialized military units and career opportunities.
In addition, Columbus State University, supported by JROTC Cadre, provided STEM training that consisted of activities that introduced Cadets to cybersecurity, robotics, and drones. These activities were geared towards exposing the Cadets to careers and opportunities in these STEM fields.
The evenings were filled with “Best Company Competitions,” which pitted the three companies against each other in relay runs, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, kickball, and the tug-of-war culminating event. Cadets also participated in In-Ranks Inspections and Platoon Marching competitions. Lastly, one evening was dedicated to learning about CSU through an interactive scavenger hunt, and relaxation at the CSU recreation center that ended with a pizza party.
The camp concluded on May 30th with a closing ceremony. JCLC not only challenged Cadets physically and mentally but also provided invaluable lessons in leadership, citizenship, and the importance of teamwork, preparing them for future success in all their endeavors. The event was actively documented on the Fulton County Instagram account (@FCS_AJROTC), allowing parents and the wider JROTC community to follow the Cadets’ experiences.