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Navy Leap Frogs, VS-33, Seabees Support JROTC National Drill Competition

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060412-01
Release Date: 4/12/2006 7:34:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Margaret A. Peng, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (NNS) -- An estimated 10,000 people watched as the U.S. Navy "Leap Frogs" parachute team dived into the West Coast National Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Drill Competition here April 1.

More than 1,700 JROTC cadets representing 52 high schools from around the country competed for top honors in various events including armed and unarmed exhibition drill, military bearing, uniform inspection, teamwork and leadership.

“We are very proud that the competition has once again come to El Segundo,” said Kelly McDowell, mayor of El Segundo. “It is a source of tremendous pride for us in the city. It is a way for all of us to demonstrate our support for all the armed services.”

At noon, a Navy S-3 Viking flown by the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 33 "Screwbirds" conducted a fly-over moments before the Leap Frogs jumped from an altitude of 10,000 feet from a UH-60 Blackhawk.

The events included Sailors from Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme displaying how to build a Southwest Asian hut from the ground up.

“The Navy has been great to me and taught me important construction skills, and I think we should share that with the younger generation,” said Steelworker Constructionman Apprentice Wes Calder, of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5.

“It is great being out here to show the cadets what we do,” said Engineering Aide 3rd Class Tyson Miller, of NMCB 5. “These huts are what shelter the troops in the desert, and what we build in for victims of natural disasters.”

In addition to the Seabees, Sailors from Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles participated in the event by setting up static displays and a flight simulator for cadets to experience flying a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet.

“A lot of people think of the JROTC programs as just recruiting ploys, but when you see the dedication and the pride in the faces of all the participants, you know that it is not true,” said Cadet Battalion Commanding Officer Cadet Maj. Jacqueline Wyatt, a 17-year-old senior at Redondo Union High School in the Marine Corps JROTC. “We are here because we want to be here and we are proud of what we can accomplish.”

Cadet Staff Sgt. Chris Gonzalez from Topeka High School in Kansas said JROTC motivates him to do his best and he was eagerly looking forward to the competition.

“I am nervous and excited at the same time. This event is a great way for us to see what the other corps are doing,” he said. “It helps us to determine how well we are doing.”

Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces provided displays for the cadets including helicopters, tanks, transportation equipment and information booths.

The JROTC program started in 1964. Its goals are to strengthen character and self-esteem, promote leadership and human relations skills, and form habits of self-discipline and personal responsibility and pride of accomplishment.