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The Mountain Home NJROTC is eagerly preparing for an exciting 2024-2025 school year, with new and returning cadets ready to dive into a year of growth, camaraderie, and competition.
As the new school year begins, the Bomber Battalion welcomes a fresh cohort of cadets, joining the ranks of those returning for another year of dedication and service. Among the newcomers is Cadet Seaman Apprentice Jakub Walls, who shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m excited to spend time with some good friends in a class I enjoy!” Cadet Walls attended the Battalion’s new cadet orientation earlier this month and was the undisputed Brain Brawl Champion among the new cadets. Jakub’s efforts at orientation solidified his place on Mountain Home’s Academic Brain Brawl competition team, which finished 18th in the nation at the 2024 Brain Brawl National Championships earlier this year.
NJROTC strives to promote personal growth. This program helps cadets develop their citizenship skills in a learning environment. “Our goal is to help cadets grow in character, leadership, and academic excellence, preparing them for their futures,” said Executive Officer Cadet Commander Ivy Hartman. Commander Hartman is starting her senior year at Mountain Home and her fourth year in the Bomber Battalion. As the XO, she is responsible for carrying out the vision of the Battalion and ensuring all fourteen competition teams operate at peak performance.
One of the most anticipated changes this year is the introduction of Junior Varsity (JV) drill teams for both Armed and Unarmed divisions. These teams will provide an opportunity for cadets with little to no experience in drilling to hone their skills in a supportive environment. Battalion Commanding Officer Cadet Commander Ethan Darracq highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “One of the key changes I’m planning to incorporate this year is the creation of a JV team. This will allow newer or less experienced cadets to compete and gain confidence without the pressure of being on the varsity team.” Taking the helm back in March, Commander Darraq is also starting his senior year at Mountain Home and his fourth year of NJROTC.
The JV teams will focus on skill development throughout the year, with the goal of becoming competitive in various drill competitions. They will be highlighted at the second annual Baby Bomber Invitational novice drill meet on April 5th and 6th, hosted by Bomber Battalion. “They will be stressed in the beginning, but once they learn to use stress to their advantage they will excel in everyday and NJROTC tasks,” explains Cadet Commander EthanDarracq. The JV teams’ efforts will culminate in participation in the open color guard division at All High School National Nationals at the end of the drill season.
This year, the Mountain Home NJROTC is offering fourteen diverse teams for cadets to engage with, including Varsity and JV Armed Exhibition and Regulation drill, Varsity and JV Unarmed Exhibition and Regulation drill, Varsity and JV Color Guard, Marksmanship, Drone, SeaPerch, Academic, Brain Brawl, and Physical Fitness.
The Bomber Battalion Varsity (V) teams are gearing up for an exhilarating season of competition. They will kick off the season at the Battle of New Orleans, hosted by Tulane University NROTC in New Orleans, LA on October 26th. The annual Willard, Missouri drone and drill meet will follow the very next weekend, hosted by Willard High School NJROTC. The Battalion will host the first annual Bomber Classic Drill meet on December 14th at Mountain Home High School main gym. The team will test their metal at the Area 13 championships on January 25, 2025 at Shawnee Mission North High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas before heading to the Arkansas State Championships at Fort Chaffee on February 15th. The drill season will culminate with the Battalion returning for the second consecutive year to All High School Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL this May.
With so many opportunities available, the 2024-2025 school year promises to be a period of growth and achievement for all involved in the Mountain Home NJROTC. The unit would like to thank the community for continued support. Fundraising efforts will kick off soon to allow the cadets to pull off this epic schedule. Follow the unit on facebook @MHBombersNjrotc and on Instagram @mountain_home_njrotc.
