Anchorage and Valley schools participate in 2023 JROTC Raider Decathlon

WASILLA — Nine Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage schools participated in the 2023 JROTC Raider Decathlon at Wasilla High School Saturday, Sept. 23.

West High School JROTC instructor Jeff Ullom said that WHS is a great venue for this event due to equipment such as the obstacle course located in the front of the school. He said that health and wellness is a vital part of the students' curriculum and this annual event is designed to be a fun way to promote physical excellence, perseverance, and teamwork.

"They've been doing good working together," Ullom said.

WHS JROTC instructor Scott Magnan said their school has hosted the Raider Decathlon since 2017, and Dimond High School was the previous host.

“It's an event that instructors keep coming up and thanking us for doing,” Magnan said.

JROTC cadets engaged in various physical tests such as push-ups, running, and endurance exercises throughout the event. Toward the end of the event, teams from different schools go head to head in Tug-of-War matches. Top performers from each event category receive awards when the Decathlon is over. Magnan said that cadets work together to push themselves to their limits and root for one another from the sidelines.

“They motivate each other," Magnan said.

Magnan said that JROTC offers a strong sense of structure and routine to participating students.

“We give them a lot of responsibility," Magnan said. “It gives them something to take pride in.”

WHS junior Logan Jacobson said that he had a great time competing in this year’s decathlon.

“It’s going great. We’re cheering each other on, doing great in the competition,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson signed up for JROTC as a freshman. He said that he didn’t have any intentions for joining the military and he didn’t know what he wanted to do after graduating high school. He said that being involved with JROTC has been a life-changing experience and gave him a newfound sense of purpose. Now, he plans to attend college in Colorado and enlist in the U.S. Air Force.

“My friend wouldn't shut up about it so I finally gave it a shot, and it's probably the best decision of my life,” Jacobson said with a laugh. “I love this corps. It's a family.”

Jacobson said that he was a shy person when he first joined JROTC, but his experiences helped him become more outgoing and it helped him gain confidence and leadership skills.

“Plus, I'm a lot happier as a person,” Jacobson said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.