The Quantico Middle/High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill team competed in the Mount Vernon High School 6th Annual Invitational Drill Meet Saturday, taking first place in all four drill categories.

Quantico faced JROTC drill teams from six local schools, including schools from Richmond and Alexandria, Va. and Temple Hills, Md. Students were critiqued on their performance with the guidance of the Marine Corps Drill Manual and judged on appearance and intensity during their performance by a panel of Marine judges who were former drill instructors and Officer Candidate School instructors. The opening ceremony began at 9 a.m., followed by the color guard portion of the competition as four designated members from each of the schools' drill teams performed color guard routines for the judges. Quantico's color guard team was welcomed by a crowd of Quantico fans as the audience erupted with cheers. "Go, Quantico!"

Quantico juniors Brandon Futrell and Joe Fischer, senior Steven Martel and sophomore Chad Roberts formed the color guard. "I think we blew them away," said Martel, after his group's performance. "I know we did very well."

Approximately six weeks before the annual drill competition, the Quantico students practiced for an hour each day before school in their gymnasium, according to the senior Marine drill team instructor, retired Lt. Col. Paul Roy. "I think these kids are number one."

The competition proceeded with the basic drill movement portion and Quantico's team moved into position. Once the team was given the green light to begin performing, Quantico junior and JROTC senior staff sergeant drill team commander Michelle Gachman took over the platoon. Gachman executed her drill commands with a clear command voice and kept the platoon moving like a well-oiled machine.

At the end of the performance, the audience lifted the room with a bellowing cheer as Gachman dismissed the platoon. Quantico walked back to the bleachers with looks of confidence on their faces.

"I think we did awesome," said Quantico senior Heather Martin. "I think everything was on key ... our steps, our facing movements, everything. The fact that I overheard another school say that they should just pack up and go home after watching our performance made me feel great confidence in our unit."

The final category of the drill competition was basic drill with arms. The competing schools performed with M-14 rifles, executing drill movements like left and right shoulder arms. Quantico again displayed a performance superior to the routines of the competing schools.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the winners from each category of drill were announced and trophies were awarded. The Quantico JROTC drill team received first place in all four categories, taking the competition by storm.

Source: MCB Quantico website (Courtest of Cpl. Justin P. Lago)