A salute is in order for Hermitage High's Junior ROTC battalion.

As long as there is land to be defended and causes to risk lives for, the United States will turn to spirited, able-bodied young folks to take lead roles.

Hermitage JROTC (affiliated with the Marine Corps) is doing its part in preparation with a unit, 105 strong, that won the Superintendent's Cup in Henrico County.

The four-pronged competition - including tests for marksmanship, inspection drills, knowledge and, finally, physical fitness - concluded April 5 at J.R. Tucker with an armored Humvee pull across the parking lot.

Hermitage's "A Team" won the physical test, as well accumulative score, against units from Tucker, Highland Springs and Hermitage "B" (Marines), Varina and Henrico (Navy) and Deep Run (Air Force).

For the athletic events, teams consisted of 12 cadets -10 boys, two girls.

Directing Hermitage was Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Robinson. The Panthers' cadet officer was senior Captain Shavonte Russell.

"We took the competition seriously," said Russell, who has earned an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. "We had a nice mixture of big, stocky guys, and smaller, quicker ones . . . and lots of leadership."

The fitness exam included: relay race (each cadet sprinting 100 meters); pull-ups (girls doing flexed arm hang); standing broad jump; basketball free-throw shooting; shot put toss; and a Humvee pull.

Russell did 13 pull-ups, but teammate Aaron Todd took top honors in that event with 27. Russell also broad jumped about 9-0 into the sand.

Hermitage climaxed the day by winning the Humvee pull. The squad prepped for the event by pulling a jeep on campus.

Advantages to taking JROTC (an elective) include an advanced rank upon enlisting into the service.

"That can mean a big difference in pay," Robinson said.

Many of the Hermitage cadets have enlisted in recent years.

In times of war, JROTC programs are viewed in different ways by different people. Asked how Uncle Sam's involvement overseas is assessed at Hermitage, Russell said, "Some shy away, thinking that we're training for war, but it's more about leadership, citizenship, discipline and motivation . . . and having respect for the uniform."