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The Glynn Academy Marine Corps JROTC (MCJROTC) Raider Team secured 1st Place Overall in the All-Service Male Division at the 4th Annual JROTC National Raider Challenge. Team Commander – Cadet 1st Lieutenant Levi Van’t Land The Competition: JROTC National Raider Challenge Host: U.S. Army Cadet Command Dates: October 22–25, 2026 Location: Fort Knox, Kentucky The Field: Nearly 4,000 elite high school JROTC cadets representing all military branches (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) from across the nation. The Low-Point System: Raider scoring operates like cross country. Teams are ranked by time or performance in each event. First place earns 1 point, second earns 2 points, and so on. The team with the lowest cumulative point total across all events wins the national championship. Glynn Academy’s consistent dominance across every event clinched the top spot. The Power of 10: While squads travel with up to 14 cadets, exactly 10 cadets must start and finish each grueling event together. Glynn Academy’s flawless coordination ensured no catastrophic team-size penalties. Flawless Execution: In a sport where seconds dictate championships, the team avoided devastating time penalties (ranging from 30 to 60 seconds per infraction) for minor gear drops or technical mistakes. The Championship Elements The Glynn Academy Male Team faced five extreme physical and tactical challenges to earn their title: The 5K Mountain Run: A grueling terrain run where the clock only stopped when the 10th and final Glynn Academy runner crossed the finish line, requiring absolute unit cohesion. One-Rope Bridge: A high-speed technical event requiring the team to rig a rope span, transport all 10 members across an obstacle, and dismantle the bridge without dropping gear or committing safety violations. The Gauntlet: A high-intensity obstacle course testing raw strength, speed, and endurance while navigating heavy tactical obstacles. Cross Country Rescue: A heavy-load endurance test mimicking a casualty evacuation, requiring the team to transport weighted litters and rucksacks through rough terrain. Physical Team Test (PTT): A rapid-fire, multi-station obstacle navigation course featuring tire flips, sprint-relays, and sandbag shuttles. All-Service Dominance: Competing in the All-Service Division, Glynn Academy out-performed elite Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard units nationwide to prove themselves the premier Male Raider team in the country. (provided photo)