JROTC cadets tackle new challenge

In celebration of Veterans Day, the Anson High School JROTC Bearcat Battalion held a dedication ceremony for their new “Bearcat Beast” obstacle course in honor of three former instructors.

The instructors brought the JROTC Bearcat Battalion to its peak in the 1990s. Major Gary Shaw, Sergeant Earl Cabble, and 1st Sergeant Enoch Sturgill built the JROTC from the ground up and taught cadets key leadership skills. They were also able to add gold stars to their uniforms in their third year, identifying the Bearcat Battalion as an honor unit with distinction and in the top ten percent of all units that sponsor JROTC programs.

The dedication was to celebrate the accomplishment and renew the former glory of the battalion under Shaw, Cabble and Sturgill’s leadership.

“They are the ones that built the program. Their legacy is exhibited here in the walls of the halls. We’ve got 700 trophies from various competitions. At one time, Anson High School JROTC was one of the best in the country. And we’re trying to get it back to that status,” said retired Lieutenant Colonel and current Senior Army Instructor John Gagan. “In the community, you’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who didn’t know a Bearcat cadet or former cadet and the county needs this program.”

“When you say ‘Anson High School,’ the first thought is the JROTC. I’d love to see the majority of the school in the JROTC program,” said AHS Principal Chris Stinson. “I think it teaches respect, leadership, collaboration, perseverance, and builds confidence in students who may not have the confidence coming in, but when they leave, they have a high level of confidence.”

The obstacle course itself will help train cadets in valuable skills and prepare them for their future military careers. It has seven elements including the “Swing Stop Jump”, the “Ten Foot Wall”, the “Cage” (rope, ladder, cargo net, and swings), and a climbing apparatus. Cadets had their first attempt at the obstacles following the ceremony.

“Essentially, this course is about building teamwork, helping cadets to overcome fears and challenges. We kind of look at this as being symbolic of life… hopefully, this will be some type of foundational asset that they can take forward as they move through life and remember the lessons they learned here at the Bearcat Beast,” said Gagan.

A reception and cake cutting followed the ceremony with food and drinks provided by local restaurants.

The ceremony provided a great reunion between alumni cadets and the current JROTC as well.

“It was great to be back with the cadets,” said Shaw.

Anson County thanks veterans and the JROTC program for all they do.

“I thought the ceremony was great,” Stinson remarked. “I looked forward to seeing those three back together and letting them see that JROTC is in good hands and going in a good direction.”