The Shadow Ridge AFJROTC Armed Drill Team recently finished their final drill competition, ending their season on a great note. The Armed Drill Team delivered a very solid performance this year and is already looking forward to next year’s competitions. This competition was a great learning experience for the team and an opportunity to learn what to improve on for future competitions.
Sophomore Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Daniel Dunn stated, “There’s definitely things we have to work on but overall, I am pretty happy with how our performance turned out. There were a couple nerves but the more experience you have, the more you can get over them quicker.”
The team wanted to improve their technique on a couple of things before the big competition. They were specifically struggling with column files to the right but they came up with a solution that pushed them to success. They continuously recorded their practices and by analyzing the footage, they were able to pinpoint exactly where their coordination was off and allowed them to make adjustments quickly. Although they were able to fix what they were having trouble with, it’s okay to make mistakes while performing, just keep moving forward with the sequence.
Dunn’s journey in the program has significantly grown over time. His older sister, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Grace Dunn, has influenced and inspired him the most.
The cadets work very hard to make sure they are confident with everything they’ve learned up to the performances. Although some cadets get more nervous than others, it’s all about being prepared. Throughout the program, Dunn has gained so much more confidence and knowledge and the team is something he has a strong passion for.
For new cadets, the drill team can look very intimidating from a far but up close, it’s like one big family. The satisfaction the cadets feel after performing and placing is a feeling like no other. It is not only a great motivator but also a way for students to see how far they’ve come and can continue to grow.
Dunn stated, “The feeling of satisfaction after placing makes everything worth it and I celebrated by taking a good nap after.”
As the cadets think about future meets, the lessons they have learned on the drill pad will always be something they think about. By focusing on resilience, discipline, and positivity, those students are building a great foundation of success for themselves that isn’t just in the classroom but everywhere. With their hard work and dedication, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
