From the April 28th to the 30th, Ripon cadets left to Camp Parks, outside of Dublin. Here future leadership was tested on their abilities, scores, and dedication in order to earn their future positions. Although many could not attend, about 40 students were able to make the venture alongside SGT. Perry and Colonel Dunn.
At Camp Parks, students had many obligations, tests, and courses to take. One of the main reasons for the camp was to be interviewed for the position each individual cadet wanted. Here cadets were tested on their knowledge and prior activities. During the LRC, cadets were watched in order to see how they could possibly achieve a goal, which ranged from getting a missile across three levels without a ladder, to arranging fake explosives on the other side of an “electric” fence. Also, examining how cadets conducted drill and p.t. was closely monitored. All of this was carried out alongside mandatory testing in order to see what cadets were truly made of.
Over all this gave cadets and instructors alike an idea of what next year will really be like. Although this was JROTC’s first time doing anything of this nature, it came to be an astounding success.

By: Kennie Hitchcock