“Pull!” the cadets shout as a group of camouflage-clad cadets work in unison to tighten the line strung between two telephone poles. One by one they are hoisted up and attach their carabiners to the line, swinging upside down and advancing in a monkey-type crawl under the rope, propelling their bodies forward to the other pole.

At the far end they are assisted in detaching and they hop aside for the next person to attach and proceed. The teamwork is admirable and the speed is amazing as they strive for a better time each try. This is the rope bridge. This is the Landum High School JROTC Raider Team and they are a powerhouse of agility and determination.

In 2005, District One hired Lt. Colonel Robert Sanders to create a JROTC program at Landrum High School. With 28 years of Army experience behind him, Sanders built the program from scratch. Uniforms and equipment were added the first year and extra training was required to teach the curriculum.

The Raider Team was born in 2006 and has continually progressed under his direction to acquire four state championships. The first was won in 2011, followed by a win at Best of the Best, a fierce competition between 21 teams from seven different states. The Raider team won runner up at the state championship in 2012 and has won state every year since.

Now the JROTC team is ready to expand again and this time it will come in the form of an obstacle course. The course was designed by former battalion commander Holly Rickett, a 2014 LHS graduate, and will be constructed by the South Carolina Army National Guard – 1223rd Vertical Construction Company. This group of guardsmen just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan last summer. The construction will begin the second week in June and continue until its completion.

When asked to describe the obstacle course, Sanders replied, “The course consists of 12 standard Army obstacles meant to test flexibility, strength, stamina, confidence, teamwork and leadership. The course will be used to support the Raider team, but will also be used for team building events for other sports teams and organizations in District One.”

Fundraising efforts are now in full swing and those wishing to contribute to this cause will receive recognition on a plaque board. All contributions are welcome. Please contact Lt. Colonel Sanders at 864-457-2606 for further information.

– Submitted by Julie Bouwkamp