Their poise and formality seemed equivalent to an adult military group, but before the Junior ROTC competition began, their giggles and whispers gave some of their ages away.

Students from Wyoming and surrounding states came to Casper on Saturday morning for the third annual Mustang Drill Competition. The teams competed in many categories including drill commands and color guard.

This is Cadet Capt. Jennipher Jackson's second year in the officers training corps, her senior year at Natrona County High School and, by all accounts, won't be her last year in the armed forces.

"This is a great way to show leadership and it opens great doors for your future," Jackson said outside of the gymnasium at Natrona County High School before the marching competition began.

She ultimately wants to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to become an airplane mechanic. "I've always been interested in how things work. Car mechanics were boring and I knew I wanted something bigger, more complicated."

For right now, she will settle on competing successfully as part of the Natrona County High School Drill Team.

"Oh yeah, I'm nervous," she said, her eyes scanning the different cadets roaming the halls in full military dress. "But I get nervous before every competition, I think it helps me do better, so I am glad I am nervous."

Despite her nerves, Jackson kept herself composed and ready to perform.

Dean Morgan 9th-grader Cadet Pvt. Christopher Brehm, said he is very excited about watching his first marching competition, even though he won't compete this year.

"I wanted to learn self discipline," Brehm said, shifting his feet and standing in the high school he's not quite old enough to attend. "I also wanted to learn how to march. I think going into the military is definitely an option."

Giving these students an option is exactly what Lt. Col. Peter Schmoltzer, the senior army advisor to Junior ROTC, said this program provides.

"We don't recruit," he said. "But if someone is interested in the program we will talk to them and help them make the decision."

He said ROTC is designed to "make better citizens," regardless of the student's future aspirations.

"It's not as serious as the real thing," he said as he smiled and joked with Jackson before the competition. "It's about dedication, paying attention, listening and leadership. It's like a football team You have to know how to work together and listen to instructions."

Cheyenne Central sophomore Cadet Sgt. Becky Steele stood with her mother Leanne Conde waiting for the rest of the Cheyenne corps to arrive.

Steele got involved in Junior ROTC because her older sister went through the program and she said military was in her family - her father was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy and flew three tours during the Vietnam War.

"I love this program, it is very good for the kids," Conde said. "It teaches them leadership and respect."

Her husband is an honorary colonel with the Junior ROTC program and both parents follow her to the various competitions.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@casperstartribune.net