The SLW Centennial High School’s NAVY JROTC “Black Talon” unit participated in their annual “Battle of Platoons” events and competition. The “Battle of Platoons” competition was held this past Saturday, March 25th, 2023. The Battle of Platoons events are a series of competitions that all four platoons compete in against each other and the results are used to crown the “Honor Platoon” during Awards Night at the end of the year.
The cadets of each platoon show their team spirit by coming in their platoon color and cheering for their fellow shipmates as they compete in their events. The four platoons competing this year were 1st platoon (color teal), 2nd platoon (color yellow/gold), 3rd platoon (color red), and 4th platoon (color blue).
The five events that the platoons competed in were the tire flip, 4-legged race, truck push, kick ball, and a water balloon melee. The final event of the day was the “Knockout Drill.” The Knock Out Drill is an individual award that is earn by the last cadets left standing who has correctly executed all of the commands that are given by the Platoon Commander without errors. The commands are given consecutively without pause and as soon as an error is made that cadet is eliminated.
All 5 events had top three (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers). The tire flip, truck push, and kickball events were dominated by 3rd platoon. While 4th platoon were the winners of the 4-legged race. Finally, the water balloon melee was won by 1st platoon who had the last two surviving cadets that didn’t get eliminated by having water balloons hit and soak them.
The final event of the day was the individual Knockout Drill. This event had awards for the top 5 finalists. Cadet Jaheim Gallimore came in 5th place, followed by Cadet Aidan Rossell in 4th place. In 3rd place was Cadet Jade Sikorski, 2nd place was earned by Cadet Mayreeana Neston and the 1st place winner of the Knockout Drill was Cadet Athaniel Morales.
The Black Talon “Battle of Platoons” is an event participated in by cadets to build unit esprit-de-corps and increase unit comradery. It was a great event where fun was had by all! We can’t wait to have it again next year!
