THIS year, the 2023 CNMI JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Spring Camp, also known as Camp Unity, was hosted by Kagman High School Ayuyu Battalion. KHS Ayuyu Battalion instructors and other instructors from the four CNMI JROTC programs conducted Leadership Training for 125 JROTC cadets from March 23–26, 2023, at Saipan Southern High Schools campus and American Memorial Park. The four-day Leadership Challenge included Museum Tour, American Memorial Park Activities (Bird Watching, Name Rubbing, Intro & Film, and Exhibit Tour), Stations (Leaders Reaction Course, Rope Bridge & Knot Tying, First Aid, and Land Navigation), Sport Activities, and Drill Competition called Tap-Out.
The second day included activities at American Memorial Park as well as a museum tour and then a bus tour to the Last Command Post, Veterans Cemetery, and Banzai Cliff. The CNMI Brigade was divided into three groups for the activities, with 45 minutes between rotations. The first group had two stations: Intro & Film (10-minute and 20-minute documentary) and Museum Tour. The second round of stations included Court of Honor, Marianas Memorial, and Break. Names were rubbed at two stations: the Court of Honor and the Marianas Memorial. The third group had only one station: Bird Watching, then rotated to the other stations.
CNMI Cadets boarded a Tasi Tour bus bound for the Marpi Last Command Post around 1 p.m. Following that, we were given a brief history of the location and led on a tour around the grounds by a park ranger. Following the Last Command Post, cadets were transported to Banzai Cliff and the Veterans Cemetery, with a narrator from each bus providing a brief history of the location.
“JROTC Camp is an excellent opportunity to meet with other cadets from all high schools and to represent our school,” said C/CSM Andres Muna, Command Sergeant Major of the Ayuyu Battalion.
Day three of camp was held at Saipan Southern High School, where the entire brigade participated in training that included Land Navigation, Leaders Reaction Course, Rope Bridge/Knot Tying, and First Aid. The first station was Rope Bridge/Knot Tying, which was led by the Stallion and Buck Battalion (Tinian & Rota High). The second station was learning how to read a lensatic compass and their pace count, which was led by the Ayuyu Battalion (Kagman High). The third station was the Leaders Reaction Course, which was led by the Dolphin Battalion (Marianas High). The fourth station was First Aid, which was led by the Manta Ray Battalion (Saipan Southern). The American Red Cross conducted a demonstration on effective CPR life saving.
The camp was packed with adventures, strategy, team-building exercises, and leadership skills. Following that is an athletic competition. (volleyball, basketball, tap-out). Following this, the athletic competition awards ceremony began.
In the basketball category, the KHS Ayuyu Battalion snagged first place, the Rota Buck Battalion placed second, and the Tinian Stallion Battalion took third. In the volleyball category, the Rota Buck Battalion bagged first, the KHS Ayuyus placed second, and the MHS Dolphin Battalion
took third. Rota Buck Battalion took first and second place in the Brigade Tap-out Drill Movements, the Tinian Stallion Battalion took third, the SSHS Manta Ray Battalion took fourth, and the KHS Ayuyu Battalion took fifth.
As a result, the 2023 JROTC Spring Camp ended successfully where all cadets learned how to lead, follow, and be a team to accomplish a mission.
The CNMI’s JROTC cadets pose for a photo at the Visitor Center of American Memorial Park.
