KHS Cadets take third at California Raider competition

KELLOGG –– Members of Kellogg High School’s Marine Corps JROTC Program recently traveled to Southern California to compete in a JROTC Raider Competition.  

Raider Competitions, or simply Raiders, are competitions between various JROTC programs centered around strength, endurance, teamwork, and ingenuity. The Raider program was designed by the United States Army, but other branches have gotten in on the fun, including the U.S. Marine Corps. Raiders are the JROTC equivalent of the Army’s Ranger competition.

Led by Senior Marine Instructor SgtMgr. Jeff Smith, the team of cadets traveled to Fontana, California, earlier this month where they finished third overall. Team members included team captain Ryken White, Nolan Harju, Mattix Harris, Aiden Flynn, Joni Knight, Eavin Knight, Spencer Strange, and Gage Pierce.  

The cadets participated in several competitions including building and crossing a rope bridge, obstacle and circuit courses, and other team endurance events.  

“Their strong showing against much more experienced Raider teams was admirable but not entirely surprising,” SgtMaj. Smith said. “The Kellogg team has worked extremely hard all school year, even coming in on days off for practice.”   

White, a senior, was pleased with his team’s showing in their first major competition, although the California sun didn’t necessarily agree with his North Idaho skin.  

“Our team grew together from the events and the constant struggle to persevere and come out on top of all the others,” White said. “From the mud pit and wall jump, we had to work in unison to make the fastest time. My favorite event would have to be the endurance course where we jumped over walls, crawled through the mud and slid through tunnels. This experience has helped me become a better motivator, and team leader, and quicker in my response times. Even though it left me redder than a tomato I wouldn't give up the chance to do it with my team again." 

The KHS Raider Team was formed during the 2023/24 school year and even hosted a small competition of their own, but it was nothing like what they experienced in SoCal.  

“The Raider comp at Fontana High School was an amazing experience for both the Raider team and our small JROTC program,” Cadet Harju said. “Competing against other JROTC programs was also incredibly interesting and enjoyable because we don't see many other programs. Interacting with other JROTC cadets and seeing how their programs work allows our program to improve itself and work together more effectively." 

Beyond just competing in the event, Smith took the cadets to San Diego to see Camp Pendelton and the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot. Many of the cadets have plans to join the U.S. Armed Forces following high school, so they treated the trip almost like a college campus visit.  

“The competition involved a lot of activities that I will eventually have to do in boot camp, so it has prepared me for what to expect,” Cadet Harris said. “The day before the competition we went to San Diego to see the Southern California beach and Camp Pendleton. The beach was very nice, but my favorite part of the trip was visiting Pendleton.” 

The trip was funded by members of the program, and donations from the Kellogg High School Booster Club and the VFW Post 1675.