Students dressed in black shoes, blue shirts and flight caps stand proud and tall on the morning of May 10 for the annual Intramural Day event.
Intramural Day is an annual event coordinated by the seniors, also known as AS-4s, in order to evaluate the cadets and see how much they have improved throughout the year. Six high ranking cadets, also known as the Group Cadre, planned all the events for ROTC this year.
“We test their knowledge, their ability to work as a team, and we also get to have a little fun with making cadets laugh. This is the most intense inspection of the entire year as the seniors are not forced to hold anything back and can truly lay on the pressure,” senior cadet Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Huie said.
ROTC have participated in other events throughout the year such as the Fun Olympics and Call of Duty tournaments, even winning awards at drill meets.
“(This event) is like an ROTC final, but a lot more fun than a real final,” sophomore cadet first lieutenant and public affairs officer Kaylee Ramos said.
The day started with attendance that took place in the amphitheater. All AFJROTC, or the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, met in the morning at the amphitheater for roll call and then marched down to the football field where the opening ceremony was held. The event was then followed up by Inspection, much similar to weekly inspections only a lot more time consuming and more intense. Standard Drill then took place where Flight Commanders were given commands that their flight, class period, must perform.
“This requires teamwork as all cadets must be fully aware of their surroundings and must keep step, distance, depth and alignment or they are docked points,” Huie said.
Exhibition took place after Standard Drill, where a cadet assigned by the Flight Commander must think up of a routine that they want to exhibit with minimal verbal commands. After lunch and the awards ceremony where they announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for Inspection, Standard Drill, Sweepstakes and Exhibition the cadets got together for Drill Down.
“The drill down is very similar to Simon Says. All of the cadets fall into one giant formation and one senior has control of them. That senior calls commands trying to trip them up and if they make any mistakes such as turning the wrong direction or making the wrong move, he/she is removed from the competition. The drill downs get very intense and competitive between the cadets,” Huie said.
The final event, the Pass-In-Review commanded by cadet Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Castueras, took place formally saying goodbye to the seniors.
Junior cadet Master Sergeant Emily Haines said, “my first Intramural Day was a real experience, I will miss the seniors and I hope that the next Group Cadre will do a superb job at next year’s Intramural Day.”
by THERESA KIM
