DALLAS-FORT WORTH, Texas — The 47th annual Birdville Invitational is a multi-service competition of cadets from 38 high schools within the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, other cities in Texas and neighboring states. The cadets compete in Color Guard, Armed Drill, Unarmed Drill, PT, and Air Rifle.
With clear skies and warm weather at the BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex, cadets were graded by drill sergeants from the 2/354th FA, 95th Training Division (IET), Grand Prairie, Texas. Drill sergeants volunteered their time to grade cadets competing for Armed Drill and Unarmed Drill.
The teams are graded based on their performance in uniform inspection, regulation drill, exhibition drill and the commander’s ability to direct the team. The cadets utilize the skills they learn in JROTC and apply those skills at the drill meet. This in turn gives them a snapshot assessment of their ability as a leader and motivator.
Cadets from Richland High School; one of the high schools in the Birdville district, had the opportunity to work one on one with the drill sergeants at the Armed Drill station. This gave the cadets the opportunity to learn from the drill sergeant’s leadership experiences and to gain insight into their own leadership abilities.
Cadet Maj. Chelsea Lambert was quoted as saying, “working with drill sergeants gives me confidence about what I’m doing right, and the ability to fix what I’m doing wrong.”
The cadets interaction with the drill sergeants gave them a new set of experiences and skills to apply to their leadership positions, teams and school; enabling them to prepare to become future leaders of their generation.