JROTC Cadet Drill Meets Set for Feb. 22 at Veteran’s Memorial Center and Melbourne High School
By Space Coast Daily // February 20, 2025
Funded by the Military Officer of America Association, Cape Canaveral Chapter, Good Deeds Foundation
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Get ready for a day of precision and discipline as Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets compete in two exciting drill meets on February 22 at Melbourne High School and the Veteran’s Memorial Center on Merritt Island.
The Veteran’s Memorial Center, located at 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy, Merritt Island, will host the JROTC District Drill Meet from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring the Color Guard, Squad, and Platoon drills.
Spectators should use the west entrance and park in the mall spaces near Fortenberry Road. Be sure to show your support, especially from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., during the final drills, trophies, and medal presentations.
Meanwhile, at Melbourne High School, the USAF JROTC Statewide Drill Meet for Air and Space Force programs will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cadets from multiple schools will compete. The final drills and award presentations will occur between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Melbourne High School is located at 74 Bulldog Blvd, Melbourne.
Come cheer on the cadets as they demonstrate their skills and teamwork.
The Military Officer of America Association, Cape Canaveral Chapter, and Good Deeds Foundation fund these events.
The MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting the aims of the Cape Canaveral Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
It has provided direct support and grants to area military (primarily in enlisted ranks), veterans, and their families; ROTC, JROTC, Sea Cadet, Civil Air Patrol, and Young Marines; and other Veteran organizations and groups since 1987. In 2023, GDF provided grants totaling over $130,000 to support these aims.
All donations are tax-deductible, and the MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation will send a letter to all donors showing the charity’s name, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution.
To donate online, Click Here or mail your donations to MOAACC Good Deeds Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 320358 Cocoa Beach, FL 32932-0358.
Brevard County’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs have recently achieved significant milestones, reflecting their dedication to excellence and community engagement.
Record-Setting Donations Bolster JROTC Initiatives
In August 2024, the Military Officers Association of America Cape Canaveral Chapter’s Good Deeds Foundation awarded each of Brevard County’s 14 JROTC programs a $3,000 grant. This unprecedented support aims to cover expenses not funded by the Department of Defense or local schools, such as competition costs and equipment. Additionally, the foundation committed over $12,000 to finance awards for various JROTC competitive events throughout the academic year.
Astronaut High School’s Marksmanship Team Excels
The Astronaut High School Varsity JROTC Marksmanship Team distinguished itself at the Florida JROTC State Championship in January 2025. Competing against 34 teams, they secured a fifth-place trophy—the highest state-level achievement in the school’s history. Cadet Haleigh Ruggles led the team with a score of 523, placing ninth individually among 122 participants. This performance qualified the team for the Army National Match in Anniston, Alabama, scheduled for February 9, 2025.
Space Coast Junior/Senior High School’s Pioneering Transition
In January 2022, Space Coast Junior/Senior High School in Cocoa transitioned its JROTC program from the Air Force to the Space Force, becoming one of only 10 schools nationwide to make this change. This move aligns the program with the region’s rich aerospace heritage and offers cadets unique opportunities in space-related military careers.
Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program, known as the Minutemen Battalion, has a distinguished history of fostering leadership, discipline, and community service among its cadets. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance students’ citizenship, personal responsibility, and communication skills. Cadets engage in various activities, including color guard presentations, community service projects, and competitive events. Notably, the Minutemen Battalion has achieved significant success in Raider competitions, with both male and female teams securing state championships. The program emphasizes physical fitness, teamwork, and academic excellence, contributing to the development of well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.
