Wheeler - Walton Raider Program
Raider Competition—commonly called Raider—is a high‑intensity, team‑driven athletic event held in JROTC programs across the United States. It is a JROTC equivalent of the Army ROTC "Ranger" competition in college, only far less dangerous but very challenging as well! The events are held outdoors in state parks, high schools or large expansive wooded areas.
Raider is a competitive program made up of 10 athletic and skill‑based events, including the Raider Fitness Challenge, One‑Rope Bridge, Cross Country Rescue, 3–6 km Team Run, Tire Flip, Obstacle Course, HUMVEE Push/Pull, Raider Fitness Test, Relay Run, and Raider Item Relay. Specific events vary by competition location.
The following are supporting objectives: Ethical values and good citizenship, leadership potential, effective communication and logical thinking, improved physical fitness, incentive to live drug-free, positive self-motivation and management, the skills to work as a team member, the discipline to graduate from high school, and chase excellence throughout one’s life.
2026 - 2027 Team Leaders
Team Captains
Captains: C/SMSgt Harter
Co-Captains: C/TSgt Kinney
Season: The fall Raider season begins in August and runs through the first weekend of November.
The spring Raider season begins in late March and runs through the first weekend of May.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Click Here
Event Schedule
The 2026 - 2027 season schedule is listed below and will be finalized from the list of Raider events posted at gajrotc.com/raider. We are thankful for all the host schools that decide to put on a competition during the season.
Fall 2026
July 27 - 31 (Pre-Raider Conditioning) | 0630 - 0830 & 1530 - 1730
Season Practices: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | 1545 - 1745
*Challenge Day, 19 August (Wednesday)
Saturday, August 29 (Wheeler Wildcat Raider Challenge) | Wheeler High School, 375 Holt Road, Marietta, GA Letter of Instruction | Annex A | Annex B | Annex C | Annex D | Scorecard | W-9
Results: 🏅 1st Place Mix | 🏅 4th Place Male
Saturday, September 5 (Etowah Early Eagle Raider Challenge)| Etowah High School, 6565 Putnam Ford Dr, Woodstock, GA.
Saturday, September 12 (Lumpkin Tomahawk Challenge) | 2001 Indian Drive, Dahlonega, GA.
Friday, September 25 (Coastal Georgia Raider Invitational) | 201 S Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA
*Challenge Day, 29 September (Tuesday)
Saturday, October 3 (Trojan Raider Challenge) | Carrollton High School, 201 Trojan Drive, Carrollton, GA
Saturday, October 10 (Spalding Raider Challenge) | 433 Wildon Road, Griffin GA.
*Challenge Day, 15 October (Thursday)
End of regular season for all Raiders except those chosen for Nationals
Saturday, October 17 (Hiram High Raider Meet) | 702 Virgie Ballentine Drive, Hiram, GA.
Friday & Saturday & Sunday, October 22-25 (Army Raider Nationals) | Fort Knox, Kentucky
Friday, October 30 (All Service JROTC Raiders National Championship) | Gerald Lawhorn Boy Scout Camp - 1166 Dripping Rock Rd, Molena, GA.
Saturday, November 7 (Raider State Championship) 412 East Washington Street, Milledgeville, GA.
The "Guardian Angel" logo was created in 2001 by Pararescueman (PJ) Rich Hillard. He wanted to create something that was similar to the official Pararescue emblems but could also be worn by Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescue or PJ’s, friends, family, and supporters alike without intruding on the sanctity and honor associated with the official emblem.
It features an Angel with Outstretched Wings: The angel represents the compassionate and life-saving mission of RESCUE personnel. The wings symbolize swiftness, protection, and the ability to reach remote or dangerous locations to save lives.
On Cross Country Rescues (CCR), and other competition events, our GA-052 Raiders honor and pay tribute to this community of elite warriors who defend our freedoms.
