Here at South Lakes, our Army Junior ROTC program is an elective course that falls under the  Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. The Seahawk Battalion is one of two schools in Fairfax County that have obtained the Honor Unit of Distinction, which The Cadet Command Department of the Army grants to the specific JROTC units that maintain an exceptionally high standard of performance. 

Within a JROTC unit, there are different teams that differ depending on the branch (Army, Navy, Air Force etc.). Here at South Lakes we have the Raider, Drill, Marksmanship and JLAB teams, which are essentially “clubs” within the program. 

However, last Saturday, December 7th, 2024, the Drill team participated in the “Best of the Best” Drill competition at Atholton High School, which is the qualifier competition for the 4th Brigade Regionals competition in North Carolina. The Drill team encompasses marching, discipline, and armed rifle work within their Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning practices (7 AM to 8 AM). 

For this competition, the Drill team focused on their Armed Division, where they marched with rifles, had an “Inspection” with rifles where students were tested on their Cadet knowledge and self discipline,  an exhibition performance in which the Rifles will be tossed and maneuvered by select upperclassmen, and a four person Colorguard. 

Within this recent competition the Seahawks were able to secure a spot to Regionals by placing first place with a perfect score in the Colorguard event. South Lakes also earned first place in Armed squad and platoon as well as second place in the Armed Exhibition. This meant our school placed first overall for the armed division!