By SUSAN KENNEDY
Although results are not yet in, cadets in the Air Force ROTC say they did well in the drill meet they participated in over the weekend.
Cadets in the Honor Guard competed for the first time ever in the Southern California Invitational Drill Meet in Huntington Beach, Calif., Saturday.
'It was a grueling competition and we did really well,' Cadet Commander Alton White said.
BYU competed with nearly 100 teams from various high schools, colleges and academies. Both of BYU's teams were young and inexperienced in competing, but did very well, White said.
BYU's teams competed in an inspection phase and an exhibition phase. In the first phase, a team of 14 were scrutinized and grilled for about 20 minutes by several seasoned drill sergeants, who inspected everything from their uniforms to their weaponry.
'The best part of the competition was the drill sergeants yelling in your face, trying to get you to screw up,' said Cadet Chris Johnson, a sophomore from Boise, Idaho, majoring in physics.
In the exhibition phase, cadets were given eight to 10 minutes to show off what they could do, White said. BYU's team chose to present a maneuver called the bomb burst.
The bomb burst involves four throwers and four catchers and is described as a blind, over the back toss. Due to its difficulty and the danger involved, BYU is the only school that does the bomb burst, White said.
'The bomb burst was the highlight of our drill. For my part, I stood there quivering while the rifle went over my head,' said Tom Gregory, a sophomore from Bellevue, Wash., majoring in computer engineering, 'Afterwards, we were all excited. We thought we did really well.'
Christopher Watt, a junior from Fernandina Beach, Fla., majoring in film, said the competition was educational. 'We learned that we need to be more prepared,' he said.
White said the drills the Honor Guard perfects and performs are used for several reasons: motivation, discipline and as a training tool toward commissioning officers.
White said BYU appreciated the invitation and is excited to compete again next year.