When you see JROTC cadets walking around the halls in their uniforms, you may notice a gold star on their uniforms—but this star actually represents something quite impressive.
This star represents the Honor Unit with Distinction which displays exceptional performance in all areas of program.
The Honor Unit with Distinction is determined by a formal inspection every three years.
The inspection is conducted by Cadet Command as well as the parent ROTC program that Beaver Area operates under: University of Pittsburgh ROTC.
The inspection took place December 4 and December 6.
The first day of the inspection included drill and ceremony as well as a color guard presentation.
Pitt’s ROTC scored both events separately. Both events required specific movements and commands to be called in order to be scored.
The drill routine was called by senior Eric Beighey, and color guard routine was called by senior Sam Anderson.
“It was very hard and vigorous. Memorizing the commands wasn’t very difficult because of my previous drill experience, but it was still difficult because of high expectations. We still did great through hard work and perseverance,” said Beighey.
Both routines were scored out of 20. The drill routine got a perfect score and color guard missed a point and a half.
The second part of the inspection included a presentation on the program’s continuous improvement plan (CIP) and service learning project (SLP) for the past year.
Eight of the battalion’s student leaders presented the continuous improvement plan, while presenting the service learning project were the service learning committee as well as a cadet from each LET level.
The CIP presented last year’s plan to improve participation and communication within the battalion. The accompanying slideshow covered the plan, actions taken, and outcome for the plan.
Part of the plan included a mentorship program between upperclassmen and underclassmen. Plan expectations were that underclassmen would be more willing to join teams or participate in events if they had a friend to look up to.
The SLP presentation went over the project at Dutch Ridge and College Square elementary schools and the Heritage Museum. In this project last year, the Cadets learned Beaver history and took it upon themselves to teach the information to younger students as well as the public.
The presentation went over what service learning is and why our JROTC’s project was service learning. Additionally, it went over how the project fit in the curriculum learned throughout the year in each LET level.
Once the inspection concluded, the inspector from Cadet Command, Mr. Harvey White departed from the school to evaluate and score the presentations.
The scores from the floor routines as well as the presentations combine for an overall total out of 100 points.
With a score between 90 and 95 the Battalion as a whole would earn the Honor Unit, which is a blue star contrary to the gold star.
Anything bellow a 90 would put the program in probation, which would include an inspection each year until the score improved.
Scores that are much lower could shut down the program entirely.
After what felt like ages of waiting (it was about a month), the battalion finally heard their scores from Cadet Command.
Thankfully for the Bobcat Battalion, they not only scored above a 90, but also scored above the 95 which granted them the Honor Unit with Distinction. Our cadets scored a whopping 98.5.
“The cadets did a phenomenal job at highlighting the program and the work that they do in the community. Their hard work showed in the presentations and routines. The brigade level was impressed and granted us the ability to keep our Honor Unit with Destination,” said SGM Oscar Weaver.
For the next thee years, the battalion will continue to wear their gold stars with pride and
poise to show off the credit they deserve.