Culpeper, VA — On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Culpeper County Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) hosted the Region 8 Raiders Competition on the campus of Eastern View High School. The event brought together cadets from various schools in the region to compete in five rigorous events designed to test physical endurance, mental resilience, and cohesive teamwork.
The event welcomed two divisions, male and mixed, with each school fielding up to two 8-person teams plus two reserves per the draft Marine Corps JROTC Standard Operating Procedure. The competition provided cadets with an opportunity to experience real-world military-inspired challenges while fostering camaraderie, discipline, and leadership.
The opening ceremony kicked off the event at 9:00 a.m and at 9:30 a.m., the competition launched into action with the first event. Cadets started with a 2-mile team formation run in boots and utility uniforms, complete with guideon (a military flag).
The other stations included rope bridge, where teams tackled a rope bridge crossing; Modified Combat Fitness Test (CFT), which is a variation of the Marine Corps test focused on strength and agility, excluding the run and ammo lift; Raider Fitness Challenge, which is a grueling obstacle course that included wall scaling, tire flipping, and additional physical challenges; and Cross Country Rescue, perhaps the most demanding event where teams faced a rugged course featuring a rope bridge water crossing, liter carry with packs, and first-aid components.
After beginning at their designated starting points, teams advanced through each of the five stations in sequence, ensuring a smooth and equitable competition experience. Among the teams representing Culpeper County Public Schools was an all-female group that delivered an especially impressive performance during the Cross Country Rescue event.
CCPS Director of Communication Laura Hoover and Division Superintendent Dr. Tony Brads were on hand to witness the team in action. “Watching our all-female team navigate the Cross Country Rescue course was truly inspiring,” said Hoover. “Their strength, focus, and teamwork were absolutely outstanding, they blew me away. I couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and grit shown by these students.” Dr. Brads echoed the sentiment, adding, “This entire event was a testament to the character and capability of our students. It was an honor to host such a meaningful and challenging competition right here in Culpeper.”
The day concluded with an awards and closing ceremony recognizing outstanding team efforts. The Raider Competition not only pushed participants to their physical limits but also highlighted the discipline and leadership cultivated by the MCJROTC program. Organizers extend their appreciation to all staff, volunteers, and school participants who made the event a success.
For more information on the Culpeper County MCJROTC program or future events, please visit the CCPS MCJROTC webpage at: https://sites.google.com/ccpsweb.org/ccps-mcjrotc/home .