The NJROTC Raider Team is made up of cadets who are interested in participating in a challenging, demanding program where a high degree of personal fitness and endurance is required. It is based on the US Army RANGER Challenge program and is modified to be geared for the JROTC units. A typical Raider Team is 9 cadets and Patrick Henry competes with an average of 4 teams. A Raider meet starts with the Army PFT, followed by Litter Carry and Obstacle Course, HUMVEE pull, 1 rope bridge and a 5K team run in full gear. Cadets must pass the PT test and stay academically qualified to participate in this event.

In Typical PH NJROTC Fashion, The Raiders Left the Competition in the Dust!!!
Saturday, 07NOV09

The relentless PH Raiders came away with two top awards: 2nd and 3rd Overall Winners, from the 2009 BDE Raider Challenge North held at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield. What a fantastic testament to the focus, dedication and teamwork that our two PH Raider teams are known for. The day started at 5 am, in below-freezing weather, when the Cadets met to travel south of Richmond. Despite the very chilly temperature inside the bus (no heat!) on the long ride, the Raiders were more than ready to heat up the competition among the 45 teams that showed up for the event.

Beginning with the Physical Fitness Test, the teams pitted their energies against each other with push-ups, sit-ups and a 1K run. After a short break, the timed First-Aid competition started and teams were asked to assess and address an emergency on a live volunteer. A broken leg and an arm injury required split-second response and coordinated reactions. The victim’s leg was splinted, the arm was dressed, and after deftly transferring the patient to a stretcher, the team took the victim on a quick run around the woods to demonstrate their speed and delicate handling abilities.

Constructing a rope bridge out of two trees, a rope and a handful a carabiners is child’s play for our home team, and the PH Raiders strutted their stuff in a big way. For this next event, in about two minutes and a half, they; tied, tugged and secured the rope; clipped themselves aboard via a hand-tied seat harness; and all 6 cadets pulled themselves horizontally hand-over-hand across the 60-foot bridge to “safety.” It was artistry in motion!

Finishing up the long day was the final event: the 5K run. The teams ran in tight groups and encouraged each other with military cadence chants. It was an amazing day to behold. What amazed me even more, however, was the consistent comradery and respect that our home team demonstrated for each other during the entire day. These kids work like a single organism with a clearly understood goal. It was a delight to be along for the ride and feel like we were welcome to be a close part of the group. But the best part – even better then watching them win two killer awards, was seeing what impressive and respectful young adults they have become. It was a honor to be a part of their world for a day.

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