Motivated for Army JROTC

Members of the Raiders, a JROTC team, show up more than an hour and a half before the school day officially begins to get in push-ups, pull-ups, rappelling, running and other exercises.

For students taking part in the JROTC program, early-morning workouts aren't mandatory, but most of the Raiders team members show up early Mondays through Fridays.

The Raiders compete several times throughout the school year and already have nabbed top team honors in three events, including an Arizona Interscholastic Association, or AIA, competition.

"I am extremely proud of them," said Ron James, a retired chief warrant officer. "They do an awesome job."

James, who is the high school's Army JROTC instructor, formed the Raiders seven years ago.

"I actually knew nothing about it," he said. "It was a new experience. We've been steadily progressing every year and getting better and better."

The Raiders compete in events that include land navigation, rope-bridge races, leadership-reaction courses, endurance tests and other challenges.

"The physical requirements are really tough," James said. "It requires a lot of time and effort and dedication. It is not an easy thing."

There are more than two dozen active members on the team, including eight girls. Twelve members and two alternates take part in competitions.

Just last month, the Raiders won the overall team award at a competition hosted by Mesa's Skyline High School. And the team can't stop talking about the AIA Adventure Team Competition that took place in phases in late September and October.

The event featured 18 teams and Flowing Wells captured the overall team award. No team has ever brought the trophy back to Tucson.

"It feels really good," said Cameron Robbins, JROTC member and the Raiders battalion commander. "They worked really hard for me."

On Saturday, the team will travel to Lake Pleasant for an orienteering meet — which is an event where teams are provided a topographical map and must find four points listed on the map. The points are marked by boxes hung from trees.

"They are really hard to see in the dense woods," said Robbins, a senior. "If you are not right where you are supposed to be, you won't find it."

Robbins, 18, has taken part in the high school's JROTC program since his freshman year.

He plans to pursue a career in the military and will attend Northern Arizona University and major in computer engineering.

Being involved in the JROTC program has been valuable, Robbins said.

"I've gained a lot of leadership skills — like how to work with people," he said.

Physical conditioning also is a benefit of the program.

Sophomore Chris Bostic's upper body powered him to the overall record in push-ups at the AIA event in October.

Bostic, 15, completed 93 push-ups in one minute to break the previous record of 86.

"I can't really describe how that feels," he said. "It's awesome."

When the team competes, at least three of the participants must be girls.

Chelcee Veltre, 16, is one of the girls who has contributed to the program's recent success.

Veltre, a junior, prefers events that involve upper-body strength.

She can perform 60 push-ups in one minute.

"I like all of it," she said about being a Raider. "I am really good with upper body. I like the more physical competitions — where we do sit-ups and push-ups."

None of the JROTC members complain about the early mornings or what is required of them.

Senior Ricardo Rodriguez lives in Three Points and takes the city bus to school. He has to be up by 4 a.m. to make it to campus by about 5:45 a.m.

Still, he said JROTC has shaped his high school experience: "It's the best time of my life, so far."