Two of the objectives of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are to motivate cadets to incorporate physical fitness into their daily routine and realize the importance of the acronym TEAM- Together Everyone Achieves More. Both were accomplished when Michigan City High School hosted a Raider Meet on Saturday, October 28th. Indianapolis high schools Ben Davis and Warren Central, along with Peoria, IL Richwoods, Minneapolis Como Park and MCHS competed. The idea of Raider competitions is to use skills that would be required of Marines working as a team in combat. Six events were used: a 1000 meter stretcher run with 100 pounds on the stretcher; flipping 3 truck tires of varying sizes for 100 meters; a sandbag relay, with each cadet running 8 sandbags of 10 pounds each for 20 meters; an agility course, where each cadet ran 100 meters, carrying different items ( i.e., a 50 pound duffel bag) for four 25 meter legs; constructing a one rope bridge for 60 feet and transporting a team of 8 cadets across it; and a tug of war. Ben Davis won the meet. MCHS earned a second place trophy in the Tug of War.

“Our cadets really worked hard in preparing for the meet, and they saw how physically demanding the events are, as well as the importance of every cadet on the team working together,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “We go down to Ben Davis on November 18th, so we will continue to work hard for what I am sure will be another very competitive meet.”

Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, commented on the endurance and versatility of the cadets. “Most of the cadets on the Raider team are also on our Drill team. So they are here at 5:45 in the morning for Drill team practice and stay after school for Raider team practice. This is a demanding schedule for anybody, but especially high school students.” November will be a busy month for the MCHS cadets. In addition to the Ben Davis Raider Meet, they host a Military Drill meet on November 4th, conduct a ceremony honoring veterans on November 9th and hold their Marine Corps Birthday Ball on November 10th. The ceremony honoring veterans, which is conducted with the MCHS band and choir, starts at 1:30 pm in the school gym and is open to the public. The guest speaker is State Representative Pat Boy.