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The Tiger Battalion Junior Officer Training Corps (JROTC) drill team is dominating the 2024-2025 season, securing overall victories in two major competitions during February.

Composed of students from Greenville, McKenzie and Georgiana high schools, the team first claimed victory at the Hoover Invitational Drill Meet on Feb. 1, winning the Overall First Place Championship Trophy. The Tiger Battalion earned first place in six out of nine events, including Armed Color Guard, Armed Regulation, Unarmed Color Guard, Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Squad and Inspection. They also placed second in Unarmed Exhibition and took third in both Armed Squad and Armed Exhibition.

“I am very proud of each one of the 27 cadets who arrived at 5:30 in the morning, competed all day and emerged victorious,” said Senior Army Instructor Colonel Alan Hester. “However, the trophies are really a testament to the hard work and practice that took place in the weeks leading up to the competition.”

Two weeks later, the team repeated its success at the Inaugural Auburn High School JROTC Drill Showcase, again earning the title of Overall Drill Champion. Event victories included first-place finishes in Armed Exhibition, Unarmed Exhibition, Armed Color Guard, Unarmed Color Guard, Armed Inspection and Unarmed Regulation. They also secured second in Armed Regulation and third in Unarmed Inspection and the Academic Team. Additionally, Cadet Alex Braswell took second place in the Armed Solo performance.

“The motivation and professionalism of the 31 cadets who traveled with us was outstanding,” Hester said. “I am proud of the overall win, but I am also very proud of our Team Two (JV) for improving so much in the last two weeks. The improvement of these young cadets has been amazing. Their future is bright.”

Battalion Commander Peyton Ridgeway attributed the team’s success to their strong camaraderie. 

“We’re all one big friend group,” Ridgeway said. “We’ve got good communication between the teams and because of that, good teamwork.”

Senior Ja’Maya Grey, Battalion Command Sergeant Major, echoed the sentiment. 

“Everyone has been really united,” Grey said. “We pray before every competition, and we go out there as one unit.”

The JROTC program will host the 2025 Tiger Battalion Drill Invitational in Greenville on March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. Over a dozen high school JROTC teams from across the state will compete, with a special demonstration from the Marion Military Institute Knights Exhibition Team scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission is free, and a concession stand featuring fresh-grilled hamburgers will be available.