Great Saltpetre Cave Trip
On Thursday, October 27, The Rocket Battalion took a trip to the Great Saltpetre Reserve in Livingston, KY. 68 cadets were present, along with Mrs. Johnston and Ms. Holly Robinson as additional chaperones. The Battalion’s expedition was led by four excellent tour guides from The Greater Cincinnati Grotto, one of the largest groups of cavers in the nation. Cadets were exposed to the rich history of the cave and its significance in the War of 1812, as an abundant source of the gunpowder component, saltpeter. The guides also educated the Battalion on the importance of bats to the local ecosystem, and how their population is declining due to careless human disturbance and the White Nose Syndrome, a fungus that disturbs the bats’ hibernation. Cadets were exposed to the geology of the formation of the cave, as well as the fascinating formations and passageways within it.
On Thursday, October 27, The Rocket Battalion took a trip to the Great Saltpetre Reserve in Livingston, KY. 68 cadets were present, along with Mrs. Johnston and Ms. Holly Robinson as additional chaperones. The Battalion’s expedition was led by four excellent tour guides from The Greater Cincinnati Grotto, one of the largest groups of cavers in the nation. Cadets were exposed to the rich history of the cave and its significance in the War of 1812, as an abundant source of the gunpowder component, saltpeter. The guides also educated the Battalion on the importance of bats to the local ecosystem, and how their population is declining due to careless human disturbance and the White Nose Syndrome, a fungus that disturbs the bats’ hibernation. Cadets were exposed to the geology of the formation of the cave, as well as the fascinating formations and passageways within it.
Clay County Raider Competition
The Mighty Rocket Battalion competed in a raider competition in Clay County on Saturday, October 22nd. Approximately 20 teams from various schools around Kentucky participated, including two teams, A and B, from the Rocket Battalion. The competition consisted of numerous challenging events, including Tug-of-War, Rope Bridge, a field obstacle course, an obstacle course and a mystery event, which was a mixed group of activities unbeknownst to the participating teams beforehand. Rockcastle’s B-team earned 2nd place in the obstacle course event and the A-Team placed 3rd overall, meaning the team may not have reached a podium position in each event, yet consistently performed very well in all of the events.
Cadets:
A-Team-Holden Abrams, Tori Boggs, Ethan Saylor, Elijah Vaught, David Peavie, Amber Doan, William Boggs, Benton Kuntz, Sebastian Poynter, Patience Cotton
B-Team-Brian Cole, Johnathan Howard, William Morris, Matthew Gadd, Brody Johnston, Larry Vanwinkle, Austin Allen. Lydia Walker, Aleya Powell, Shawna Mink
Additional Cadets-Paige Fowler, Jacob Lamb, Elizabeth Barron, Zach Nelson, Eric Jackson, Emily Harris, Adrianne Walker, Hannah Johnston, Mark King, Jakob Mink
The Mighty Rocket Battalion competed in a raider competition in Clay County on Saturday, October 22nd. Approximately 20 teams from various schools around Kentucky participated, including two teams, A and B, from the Rocket Battalion. The competition consisted of numerous challenging events, including Tug-of-War, Rope Bridge, a field obstacle course, an obstacle course and a mystery event, which was a mixed group of activities unbeknownst to the participating teams beforehand. Rockcastle’s B-team earned 2nd place in the obstacle course event and the A-Team placed 3rd overall, meaning the team may not have reached a podium position in each event, yet consistently performed very well in all of the events.
Cadets:
A-Team-Holden Abrams, Tori Boggs, Ethan Saylor, Elijah Vaught, David Peavie, Amber Doan, William Boggs, Benton Kuntz, Sebastian Poynter, Patience Cotton
B-Team-Brian Cole, Johnathan Howard, William Morris, Matthew Gadd, Brody Johnston, Larry Vanwinkle, Austin Allen. Lydia Walker, Aleya Powell, Shawna Mink
Additional Cadets-Paige Fowler, Jacob Lamb, Elizabeth Barron, Zach Nelson, Eric Jackson, Emily Harris, Adrianne Walker, Hannah Johnston, Mark King, Jakob Mink
Whitley County Raider/Colorguard Competition
The Rockcastle County Rocket Battalion Raider and Drill teams competed in the Whitley County Raider/Colorguard Competition this past weekend on Saturday, October 8th. The Drill Team competed in the areas of Squad Drill, Color Guard, and Academic Team, the two former consisting of the graded execution of a predetermined sequence of commands and actions, with the latter a series of academically challenging questions. The Raider Team was responsible for the construction and crossing of a one-rope-bridge, completion of both an obstacle course and field obstacle course, along with a tug-of-war event. All Cadets worked exceptionally hard, and earned 2nd place in the Field Obstacle Course and One Rope Bridge events, and the Rocket Battalion placed 3rd in overall competition, successfully breaking a dry streak of overall placement within events.
Cadets:
Tug-of-War: Paige Fowler, Johnathan Howard, Lydia Walker, Brian Cole, Jacob Lamb, Jordan Davidson
Field Obstacle: Victoria Boggs, Patience Cotton, Brody Johnston, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught, Ethan Saylor
Obstacle Course: Aleya Powell, Amber Doan, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught
One Rope Bridge: Victoria Boggs, Amber Doan, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught, Matthew Gadd, Ethan Saylor
Squad Drill: Kiarra Clouse, Aleya Powell, Andrew Didelot, Tyler Wood, Zach Nelson, Jake Neely, Shetarra Pricket, Sebastian Poynter, Benton Kuntz
Colorguard: Connor Noble, Eli Rose, Hannah Johnston, Robert Davis
Academic Team: David Peavie, Adrianne Walker, Clare Beichler, Michael Allen
Additional Cadets Present: Shawna Mink, Elizabeth Barron, Jakob Mink, Eric Jackson, Larry Vanwinkle
The Rockcastle County Rocket Battalion Raider and Drill teams competed in the Whitley County Raider/Colorguard Competition this past weekend on Saturday, October 8th. The Drill Team competed in the areas of Squad Drill, Color Guard, and Academic Team, the two former consisting of the graded execution of a predetermined sequence of commands and actions, with the latter a series of academically challenging questions. The Raider Team was responsible for the construction and crossing of a one-rope-bridge, completion of both an obstacle course and field obstacle course, along with a tug-of-war event. All Cadets worked exceptionally hard, and earned 2nd place in the Field Obstacle Course and One Rope Bridge events, and the Rocket Battalion placed 3rd in overall competition, successfully breaking a dry streak of overall placement within events.
Cadets:
Tug-of-War: Paige Fowler, Johnathan Howard, Lydia Walker, Brian Cole, Jacob Lamb, Jordan Davidson
Field Obstacle: Victoria Boggs, Patience Cotton, Brody Johnston, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught, Ethan Saylor
Obstacle Course: Aleya Powell, Amber Doan, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught
One Rope Bridge: Victoria Boggs, Amber Doan, Holden Abrams, Robert Vaught, Matthew Gadd, Ethan Saylor
Squad Drill: Kiarra Clouse, Aleya Powell, Andrew Didelot, Tyler Wood, Zach Nelson, Jake Neely, Shetarra Pricket, Sebastian Poynter, Benton Kuntz
Colorguard: Connor Noble, Eli Rose, Hannah Johnston, Robert Davis
Academic Team: David Peavie, Adrianne Walker, Clare Beichler, Michael Allen
Additional Cadets Present: Shawna Mink, Elizabeth Barron, Jakob Mink, Eric Jackson, Larry Vanwinkle
Estill County Raider Event
The Rockcastle County High School JROTC Raider Team competed in the 3rd Annual Spartan Crucible Competition in Estill County on Saturday, September 10th, 2016. Seven teams from around the state competed in the event, with each team consisting of ten cadets and three alternatives, with a minimum of two female cadets on the team at all times. The competition consisted of five competitive events, including a team 5k run, a rope climb, and a mystery event. The competition truly pushed the cadets with ‘The Trevor “Meat” Charles warm-up and the ‘Spartan “Dirk” Challenge’. For the Trevor “Meat” Charles warm-up, the team was required to flip two tractor tires down a 100 yard stretch, along with carrying four ammo crates and two ammo cans, with the fastest team winning the event. Equally difficult was the “Dirk” challenge, which had the ten person team complete a series of team exercises while carrying a giant log, lovingly dubbed “Dirk”. The cadets were required to complete a lap around a track, ten shoulder presses, ten sit-ups, ten curls and ten squats, all while supporting the log as a team. The Rocket Battalion Raiders performed to the best of their abilities at the event.
Cadets: Victoria Boggs*, Emily Harris, Lydia Walker, Shawna Mink, Paige Fowler, Patience Cotton*, Hannah Johnston, Amber Doan*, Clair Beichler, Aleya Powell, Elizabeth Barron, Matthew Gadd*, Eric Jackson, Austin Allen, David Thacker*, Sebastian Poynter*, Brody Johnston, Ethan Saylor*, Jordan Davidson, Billy Boggs*, Johnathan Howard, Larry Vanwinkle, Cody Morris*, Eli Vaught*, Chanler Cole, Charles Kuntz*, Holden Abrams, Jacob Lamb, Jakob Mink, David Peavie*, Zach Nelson*
*Denotes participation/alternate
The Rockcastle County High School JROTC Raider Team competed in the 3rd Annual Spartan Crucible Competition in Estill County on Saturday, September 10th, 2016. Seven teams from around the state competed in the event, with each team consisting of ten cadets and three alternatives, with a minimum of two female cadets on the team at all times. The competition consisted of five competitive events, including a team 5k run, a rope climb, and a mystery event. The competition truly pushed the cadets with ‘The Trevor “Meat” Charles warm-up and the ‘Spartan “Dirk” Challenge’. For the Trevor “Meat” Charles warm-up, the team was required to flip two tractor tires down a 100 yard stretch, along with carrying four ammo crates and two ammo cans, with the fastest team winning the event. Equally difficult was the “Dirk” challenge, which had the ten person team complete a series of team exercises while carrying a giant log, lovingly dubbed “Dirk”. The cadets were required to complete a lap around a track, ten shoulder presses, ten sit-ups, ten curls and ten squats, all while supporting the log as a team. The Rocket Battalion Raiders performed to the best of their abilities at the event.
Cadets: Victoria Boggs*, Emily Harris, Lydia Walker, Shawna Mink, Paige Fowler, Patience Cotton*, Hannah Johnston, Amber Doan*, Clair Beichler, Aleya Powell, Elizabeth Barron, Matthew Gadd*, Eric Jackson, Austin Allen, David Thacker*, Sebastian Poynter*, Brody Johnston, Ethan Saylor*, Jordan Davidson, Billy Boggs*, Johnathan Howard, Larry Vanwinkle, Cody Morris*, Eli Vaught*, Chanler Cole, Charles Kuntz*, Holden Abrams, Jacob Lamb, Jakob Mink, David Peavie*, Zach Nelson*
*Denotes participation/alternate
George Rogers Clark
On the weekend of April 15 and 16, 2016, two teams from the Rockcastle County High School JROTC Rocket Battalion traveled to Fort Boonesborough to compete. The two teams that competed were the Rocket Raiders and the Rocket Biathlon Rifle team. The Raider team competed in many events such as: Mountain Trek, River Trek, Land Navigation, One Rope Bridge, and Map Reading Skills. The Biathlon Team competed in one event: The Biathlon Run and Shoot.
The night before, both of the teams were able to camp out, so they could wake early the next morning and put forth their best efforts in bringing home a trophy. The Raider Team worked their hardest but did not bring home their well-deserved trophy. However, the Biathlon Team did bring home a 3rd place trophy that we proudly get to set next to the others. The group that competed with the Rifle team consisted of: Dakota Fredrick, Jacob Lamb, Steven Rowe, Nathaniel Morris, Zach Nelson, Brody Johnston, and Kyle Cash.
On the weekend of April 15 and 16, 2016, two teams from the Rockcastle County High School JROTC Rocket Battalion traveled to Fort Boonesborough to compete. The two teams that competed were the Rocket Raiders and the Rocket Biathlon Rifle team. The Raider team competed in many events such as: Mountain Trek, River Trek, Land Navigation, One Rope Bridge, and Map Reading Skills. The Biathlon Team competed in one event: The Biathlon Run and Shoot.
The night before, both of the teams were able to camp out, so they could wake early the next morning and put forth their best efforts in bringing home a trophy. The Raider Team worked their hardest but did not bring home their well-deserved trophy. However, the Biathlon Team did bring home a 3rd place trophy that we proudly get to set next to the others. The group that competed with the Rifle team consisted of: Dakota Fredrick, Jacob Lamb, Steven Rowe, Nathaniel Morris, Zach Nelson, Brody Johnston, and Kyle Cash.
Service Learning Project
On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, members of the Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion went to the Mt. Vernon Courthouse to clean the monument and the surrounding area for our service learning project.
While there, 18 very dedicated cadets worked efficiently as a team to take care of several tasks. The tasks included cleaning mold off the monument, applying paint to the railings, and laying mulch on the soil. The cadets got the chance to interact with the courthouse staff inmates to retrieve supplies and get help using them.
At the ends of the day, the monument looked better than ever and allowed our community to be more pleasing to the eye. The cadets worked very hard and showed that they can work together well as a team when given a task to complete. Each cadet did their part in making our community a better place to be a part of.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, members of the Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion went to the Mt. Vernon Courthouse to clean the monument and the surrounding area for our service learning project.
While there, 18 very dedicated cadets worked efficiently as a team to take care of several tasks. The tasks included cleaning mold off the monument, applying paint to the railings, and laying mulch on the soil. The cadets got the chance to interact with the courthouse staff inmates to retrieve supplies and get help using them.
At the ends of the day, the monument looked better than ever and allowed our community to be more pleasing to the eye. The cadets worked very hard and showed that they can work together well as a team when given a task to complete. Each cadet did their part in making our community a better place to be a part of.
Wildcat Mountain
On the weekend of October 17th and 18th a group of cadets from the Rockcastle County High School JROTC Rocket Battalion went to The Wildcat Mountain Civil War Reenactment Battlefield to participate in a community service event. Each cadet had a different job and contributed differently during this event.
The group of cadets sectioned off into 4 separate groups: Handicap parking, Donations, Regular parking, and Trash detail. Within these groups, money was raised for the community while traffic went on smoothly thanks to the supervision of the cadets. The environment was also made to stay clean thanks to the trash detail.
While attending Wildcat Mountain, cadets helped out the community by developing responsibility, helping the reenactment staff with community affairs, and got to enjoy themselves by camping and doing recreational activities such as dancing in the barn Saturday night.
The Rocket Battalion would like to thank the Wildcat Mountain Staff for giving us such a great opportunity in gaining community service and allowing us to camp. The cadets had a wonderful time and a very memorable experience.
On the weekend of October 17th and 18th a group of cadets from the Rockcastle County High School JROTC Rocket Battalion went to The Wildcat Mountain Civil War Reenactment Battlefield to participate in a community service event. Each cadet had a different job and contributed differently during this event.
The group of cadets sectioned off into 4 separate groups: Handicap parking, Donations, Regular parking, and Trash detail. Within these groups, money was raised for the community while traffic went on smoothly thanks to the supervision of the cadets. The environment was also made to stay clean thanks to the trash detail.
While attending Wildcat Mountain, cadets helped out the community by developing responsibility, helping the reenactment staff with community affairs, and got to enjoy themselves by camping and doing recreational activities such as dancing in the barn Saturday night.
The Rocket Battalion would like to thank the Wildcat Mountain Staff for giving us such a great opportunity in gaining community service and allowing us to camp. The cadets had a wonderful time and a very memorable experience.
Whitley County Raider and Drill Competition
On October 3rd, 2015, the Rockcastle County JROTC Battalion traveled to Whitley to compete in Whitley County High School's annual Raider and Drill Competition. The competition consisted of many events that tested the training and endurance. The events consisted of Squad Drill, Color Guard, One Rope Bridge, Field Obstacle, Obstacle Course, Tug of War and one Academic Team test.
Squad Drill consisted of a seven cadet squad and performed a sequence of commands. The squad was graded on their ability to march sharply, uniformly, and consistently. The squad as a whole performed their best but did not place.
A four man Color Guard had to conduct a full sequence of marching and commands. Each Color Guard was graded on their performance executing the commands sharply and accurately according to the Army Field Manual of Drill and Ceremony.
For the One Rope Bridge portion, a six cadet team formed had to construct a one rope bridge over an obstacle and cross it in the shortest amount of time possible. The raider team placed 2nd in this event. The cadets on this event were Victoria Barron, Andrew Sizemore, Holden Abrams, Amber Doan, Matthew Gadd, and Elijah Didelot.
During Field Obstacle, cadets had to perform several events involving teamwork and leadership skills. The event had several different obstacles set up along a path, and the team had to complete each obstacle in as short of amount of time as possible.
During the Obstacle Course, cadets had to work together as a team to cross several obstacles. The team had to complete this event with shortest amount of time, and with little to no penalties as possible.
The academic team test consisted of 4 cadets who were tested in several areas such as US history, JROTC knowledge, science, social studies, English and several other subjects.
The last event of the day is the Tug-of-War competition. Schools went head to head in a single elimination tournament to compete for the Tug-of-War champion title.
Each and every cadet who attended the Whitely Raider and Drill Competition gave their 100% best effort and represented Rockcastle County with pride and respect. Congratulations to all the cadets.
The following cadets were in attendance: Austin Ramsey, Tim Henson, Robert Davis, Andrew Sizemore, Victoria Barron, Clare Beichler, Jacob Stoneking, Will Merrit, Jacob Durham, Paige Fowler, Shettarra Pricket, Holden Abrams, Mathew Gadd, Aleya Powell, Michael Allen, Samantha Douglas, Hunter Laswell, Katylyn Abney, Amber Doan, Elijah Vaught, Eli Rose, Elijah Didelot, Lyndasy Newcomb, Tyler Robinson, Adrianne Walker, Conner Noble, Blake Swinney, Amber Rice, Desiree Mason, and Josh Martin.
On October 3rd, 2015, the Rockcastle County JROTC Battalion traveled to Whitley to compete in Whitley County High School's annual Raider and Drill Competition. The competition consisted of many events that tested the training and endurance. The events consisted of Squad Drill, Color Guard, One Rope Bridge, Field Obstacle, Obstacle Course, Tug of War and one Academic Team test.
Squad Drill consisted of a seven cadet squad and performed a sequence of commands. The squad was graded on their ability to march sharply, uniformly, and consistently. The squad as a whole performed their best but did not place.
A four man Color Guard had to conduct a full sequence of marching and commands. Each Color Guard was graded on their performance executing the commands sharply and accurately according to the Army Field Manual of Drill and Ceremony.
For the One Rope Bridge portion, a six cadet team formed had to construct a one rope bridge over an obstacle and cross it in the shortest amount of time possible. The raider team placed 2nd in this event. The cadets on this event were Victoria Barron, Andrew Sizemore, Holden Abrams, Amber Doan, Matthew Gadd, and Elijah Didelot.
During Field Obstacle, cadets had to perform several events involving teamwork and leadership skills. The event had several different obstacles set up along a path, and the team had to complete each obstacle in as short of amount of time as possible.
During the Obstacle Course, cadets had to work together as a team to cross several obstacles. The team had to complete this event with shortest amount of time, and with little to no penalties as possible.
The academic team test consisted of 4 cadets who were tested in several areas such as US history, JROTC knowledge, science, social studies, English and several other subjects.
The last event of the day is the Tug-of-War competition. Schools went head to head in a single elimination tournament to compete for the Tug-of-War champion title.
Each and every cadet who attended the Whitely Raider and Drill Competition gave their 100% best effort and represented Rockcastle County with pride and respect. Congratulations to all the cadets.
The following cadets were in attendance: Austin Ramsey, Tim Henson, Robert Davis, Andrew Sizemore, Victoria Barron, Clare Beichler, Jacob Stoneking, Will Merrit, Jacob Durham, Paige Fowler, Shettarra Pricket, Holden Abrams, Mathew Gadd, Aleya Powell, Michael Allen, Samantha Douglas, Hunter Laswell, Katylyn Abney, Amber Doan, Elijah Vaught, Eli Rose, Elijah Didelot, Lyndasy Newcomb, Tyler Robinson, Adrianne Walker, Conner Noble, Blake Swinney, Amber Rice, Desiree Mason, and Josh Martin.
The Little Worlds Fair
On Saturday August 8th, 2015, 14 cadets from the Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion attended the Little Worlds Fair in Brodhead, Kentucky for community service purposes.
While attending the fair, these highly-experienced cadets were in charge of the food stand, where they take people’s orders, deliver food and drinks, turn in money to the fair staff, and keeping the area clean. The cadets have spent around 5 hours working for the event and the night proved to be an overall success.
The cadets who attended this event include Holden Abrams, Victoria Barron, Clare Beichler, Marina Blevins, Bentley Collins, Jacob Durham, Dustin Gentry, Tabitha Henson, Michelle Mink, Nathaniel Morrison, Aaron Pevley, Austin Ramsey, Trevor Sweet, and Adrianne Walker.
The Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion would like to thank the staff at the Little Worlds Fair for allowing us to take part in this event as a way to help the community and provide community service hours for the cadets.
On Saturday August 8th, 2015, 14 cadets from the Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion attended the Little Worlds Fair in Brodhead, Kentucky for community service purposes.
While attending the fair, these highly-experienced cadets were in charge of the food stand, where they take people’s orders, deliver food and drinks, turn in money to the fair staff, and keeping the area clean. The cadets have spent around 5 hours working for the event and the night proved to be an overall success.
The cadets who attended this event include Holden Abrams, Victoria Barron, Clare Beichler, Marina Blevins, Bentley Collins, Jacob Durham, Dustin Gentry, Tabitha Henson, Michelle Mink, Nathaniel Morrison, Aaron Pevley, Austin Ramsey, Trevor Sweet, and Adrianne Walker.
The Rockcastle JROTC Rocket Battalion would like to thank the staff at the Little Worlds Fair for allowing us to take part in this event as a way to help the community and provide community service hours for the cadets.