Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is currently attracting Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps candidates from both Mississippi and Louisiana, leading to a diverse and dynamic group of individuals.
Over 300 cadets hailing from 54 different high schools are currently taking part in the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge for this week.
Cadet Nicholas Clapp emphasized that leadership is the primary objective of JCLC, and to become a successful leader, one must learn to follow.
Through effective communication, skillful team building, and sound decision making, cadets are developing and improving their leadership abilities.
Cadet Jadelyn Dear shared that in her experience, effective planning, teamwork, and leadership were crucial components of success. She emphasized the importance of strategizing as a group and taking on leadership roles when necessary.
This week, the cadets were divided into four companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. They were then presented with four distinct challenges to overcome.
JROTC instructors determined the leadership roles of cadets, ranging from company commander to squad leader. These positions required a great deal of responsibility and were fulfilled by some of the cadets.
According to Colonel Lynn Pippen, cadets will undergo a range of mentally and physically challenging activities that aim to enhance their leadership skills and personal growth. “It truly helps them flourish as citizens and individuals,” she said.
The challenges presented a wide range of activities, from rappelling to team building exercises through an obstacle course, as well as land navigation and canoeing.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Steve Simkins emphasized the importance of learning from failures. He suggested that if someone makes a mistake, the best approach is to let them try again and keep practicing until they succeed. According to him, failure is a valuable teacher that can guide individuals towards success.
The camp’s primary focus is not on military operations, but rather on aiding the cadets in their readiness for their future endeavors.
According to Pippen, their program is focused on citizenship rather than military training. However, the skills that participants acquire can certainly facilitate their transition into military service.
The winners of the challenge will receive awards and recognition on Friday.
