JROTC Ranger
Team Lives Army Values,
Exceeds Standards
By Staff Sgt. Michael White, USAREC, Honolulu Battalion
April 6, 2015
The Kona Recruiting Station adopted the Konawaena High school JROTC Ranger Team (Wildcats) at the beginning of the school year. These five young, motivated men showed an eagerness to grow mentally and physically.
For five months, on our own time, we coached them on how to excel in school and life in general.
We took the students on ruck marches, taught them physical training, how to fund raise, and more.
We developed close relationships with the students and their parents, who are now commending us for instilling the Army Values in their children.
This group of young men has overcome many obstacles. Some have a parent who passed away, while others are dealing with severe personal illnesses and family financial issues.
The one thing this group has, that we as Soldiers admire, is a never quit attitude and an unlimited motivation that exudes from each of them, no matter how many life challenges with which they are dealing.
Our team members are Future Soldier Erick Magana Contreras, Future Soldier Weston Downs, Andruw Nakamura, and Kinolua Kelekolio, who both plan to enlist next year, and Ragan Leslie who’s committed to the Navy.
Our team was one of 24 JROTC teams from schools across the state who competed in the Maui Madness this year.
During the event, teams members were put to challenges testing their mental prowess and physical endurance.
Teams competed in a variety of obstacles ranging from a 1-mile run, a physical training test, swimming course, and an obstacle course.
Our team, the Wildcats, won overall first place in the boys division, first place in the 1,000 meter swim, and first place in the 5,000 meter cross country team run.
Participants also competed in a modified APRT, which included pull-ups, a tire flip, and an all-service flag football tournament.
It shows great dedication and discipline to achieve what these young men have accomplished. Placing first out of 24 teams proves hard work pays off.
Downs said, “Being Army strong is not about how physically strong you are as much as it is realizing how much your divided strength’s can become one as a team.”
We have seen enormous change in the personas of these young men over the past several months. Whether they chose to pursue a military career or one in the civilian sector, we know they will be successful. Having the mentality that they can be, know, and do anything, and instilled Army Values, the sky’s the limit.
Exceeds Standards
By Staff Sgt. Michael White, USAREC, Honolulu Battalion
April 6, 2015
The Kona Recruiting Station adopted the Konawaena High school JROTC Ranger Team (Wildcats) at the beginning of the school year. These five young, motivated men showed an eagerness to grow mentally and physically.
For five months, on our own time, we coached them on how to excel in school and life in general.
We took the students on ruck marches, taught them physical training, how to fund raise, and more.
We developed close relationships with the students and their parents, who are now commending us for instilling the Army Values in their children.
This group of young men has overcome many obstacles. Some have a parent who passed away, while others are dealing with severe personal illnesses and family financial issues.
The one thing this group has, that we as Soldiers admire, is a never quit attitude and an unlimited motivation that exudes from each of them, no matter how many life challenges with which they are dealing.
Our team members are Future Soldier Erick Magana Contreras, Future Soldier Weston Downs, Andruw Nakamura, and Kinolua Kelekolio, who both plan to enlist next year, and Ragan Leslie who’s committed to the Navy.
Our team was one of 24 JROTC teams from schools across the state who competed in the Maui Madness this year.
During the event, teams members were put to challenges testing their mental prowess and physical endurance.
Teams competed in a variety of obstacles ranging from a 1-mile run, a physical training test, swimming course, and an obstacle course.
Our team, the Wildcats, won overall first place in the boys division, first place in the 1,000 meter swim, and first place in the 5,000 meter cross country team run.
Participants also competed in a modified APRT, which included pull-ups, a tire flip, and an all-service flag football tournament.
It shows great dedication and discipline to achieve what these young men have accomplished. Placing first out of 24 teams proves hard work pays off.
Downs said, “Being Army strong is not about how physically strong you are as much as it is realizing how much your divided strength’s can become one as a team.”
We have seen enormous change in the personas of these young men over the past several months. Whether they chose to pursue a military career or one in the civilian sector, we know they will be successful. Having the mentality that they can be, know, and do anything, and instilled Army Values, the sky’s the limit.