The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, hosted the 22nd annual Navy Junior ROTC Area-10 Field Meet, March 27-28.

The meet, known as the Texas State Championship, hosted more than 560 high school students from fifteen high school NJROTC units across the state, competing for the championship title.

All events were graded by the Texas A&M University NROTC Battalion midshipmen and active duty students (Seaman To Admiral-21 and Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program). The event provided the opportunity for NJROTC cadets to visit A&M and interact with the Corps of Cadets.

"[The cadets] gave us a tour of the school and the Quad, took us to Academic Plaza, and told us about all of the traditions," said NJROTC Cadet Kali Palomarez, from Lehman High School

Over a two day competition, the competing NJROTC Units were scored in ten events, testing their academic prowess, physical strength, and military bearing and precision. The first day of the field meet consisted of physical training and academic events, and was conducted mainly on O.R. Simpson Drill Field in the heart of Texas A&M's campus.

The second day was composed of various military basic and exhibition drill events, including personnel inspections, armed and unarmed drill, and color guard.

"We always enjoy hosting this event," said Marine Corps Col. Paul Timoney, commanding officer Texas A&M NROTC. "The NROTC staff was really impressed with the hard work and motivation of the 560 JROTC cadets here this weekend, and that's a testament to the NJROTC staff. They do a great job at these units."

At the end of the weekend, Flour Bluff High School retained their championship title and everyone looked forward to the competition next year.

"The hospitality and the professionalism of everyone here is great," said retired Cmdr. Mike Hale, NJROTC Area-10 manager. "I don't think there is another place where this event could be run as well as it is here. That's why we keep coming back."

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