Keesler to welcome JROTC for state drill competition Published Nov. 3, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Team Keesler is slated to host the Inaugural Mississippi Joint Service-Junior ROTC All Drill Competition in the 403rd Wing dual hangar Nov. 15, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Approximately 800 Junior ROTC cadets and spectators will come to Keesler to battle for the best all-services Junior ROTC team for Mississippi. The event is free and open to anyone with access to the base. "This will be the first time a competition of this sort has been held in Mississippi, so Keesler is setting the precedent for hosting the event," said Retired U.S. Navy Capt. John Lewis, Mississippi Department of Education Junior ROTC Bureau director. Eighteen teams from local area high schools will compete in the contest, which will include Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps units, explained Lewis. "The competition will consist of six events: Color Guard, Personnel Inspection, Armed Regulation, Armed Exhibition, Unarmed Regulation and Unarmed Exhibition," he added. "The school with the highest overall combined score from these six events will earn the title 2014-2015 Mississippi All-Services Junior ROTC Drill Champion." There will be multiple displays from all the services to include at least 15 different types of military vehicles and equipment, local recruiters, static aircraft and a combat controller parachute jump demonstration, said Maj. Steven Mullins, 334th Training Squadron director of operations and Keesler lead for the event. Concessions will also be available for purchase, including drinks, hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cake. "We're hoping to have a good turnout from the local community and base to support the cadets," Mullins said. For many of the cadets and spectators, it will be their first time on a military installation, explained Lewis. "This is an outstanding opportunity for our high school Junior ROTC cadets and public guests to experience first-hand what being on an active-duty military base is like," he said. "Our cadets are getting the full military experience from lodging and dining at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, to viewing static displays, to having their performances evaluated by active duty service members. This will be an incredible educational experience for all of them." Not only will the event allow friendly competition, it also is a chance to showcase the Air Force to future Airmen. "This event is important because we're providing a forum; the means for our future warriors to train and compete," Mullins added. "Where else in the state to do this better than right at Keesler, the Air Force's premiere technical training center."