By By Chandler Myers
NJROTC programs took over Escambia County High School Wednesday morning as seven teams competed in the third annual Icebreaker Field Meet.
The meet included teams from Escambia County High School, Robertsdale High School, Milton (Fla.) High School, Central (Phenix City) High School, Murphy High School, Baker (Fla.) High School and Moss Point (Miss.) High School.
Moss Point finished first overall in the competion with Robertsdale a close second and Central coming in third.
At the event, the teams competed in several competitions including drill, marksmanship and an athletic challenge.
John Sweeting, senior naval science instructor for Escambia County High School, said the event is great because it brings so many people together.
The NJROTC program does alot for the students who participate.
Sweeting said that alot of people think the ROTC is for discipline, but added it does more than that.
For some members of the team, the NJROTC is a way of finding out what they are successful at as well as learning what needs to be worked on.
Jonathan Stallworth, a junior at ECHS, said that joining the NJROTC has helped him with his discipline.
Leadership is another draw to joining the NJROTC in high school.
Leslie Smith, a junior at ECHS and team leader for the program, said she wanted a chance to improve her leadership skills.
Aside from teaching students different skills, the NJROTC does what it can to prepare students for college.
Sweeting said the program is partly designed to help them get ready for life after high school.
As for his team competing, Sweeting enjoys seeing them take part in competitions.
Sweeting said his favorite event is a map and compass category.
The students themselves have differences in why they like the competitions they go to.
Smith said she enjoys taking part in the drill competition.
Stallworth looks at the events with a social point of view.
He said he enjoys building relationships with people from other places.