JROTC Performs Admirably in Annual Inspection

James C. Fischer, PhD Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
April 13, 2017

Evaluators inspect uniforms and ask knowledge questions as part of the In-Ranks Inspection portion of the Cadet Formal Inspection.

On the morning of April 12, 2017, the halls of CDH were buzzing much earlier than usual. The 215 members of JROTC had arrived before 7:30 to make final preparations for their annual inspection. Fine tuning uniforms, practicing commands, rehearsing briefings - this was a day they had anticipated for months.

Their effort paid off. Everyone demonstrated their attention to detail during the in-ranks portion. The Diamond Officers gave presentations on their Staff Responsibilities, the Continuous Improvement Program and our Service Learning, while the Color Guard and Regulation Drill teams showed their proficiency.

Inspectors from the University of Minnesota’s Army ROTC Battalion challenged us as we sought to retain qualification as a JROTC Program of Excellence. Good news! We have confirmed the right to continue wearing the highest award in JROTC just as we have since May 1930; the Gold Star remains a part of the Raider Brigade uniform.