Family connection keeps JROTC drill act in sync

Chelsec and Faith Crews practice their drill routine, of course.

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The Evans High sisters arrive at school early each day to practice with other members of the JROTC drill team. They practice well after the final bell rings at the end of the day.

But the sisters have a connection they don't form in practice. They anticipate each others' moves, think of similar moves for routines and move in tandem without much verbal direction.

The Crews sisters, who started working as a dual exhibition pair this year, took first in the category at the Area Four drill meet March 13. The sisters also finished top two in the individual competition. Faith, a junior, took the top spot. Chelsec finished second.

"I kind of wanted to go out doing stuff with her," said Chelsec, a senior who plans to join the Air Force following graduation.

The girls qualified for the state competition in both the dual and the individual events. Evans also qualified as a platoon. The state drill meet will be next Saturday.

During a competition week, the sisters practice their routine more often. Techniques other teams use to stay on track don't always apply to the Crews sisters.

"Usually when you're about to do a movement, you say, 'Ready, move,' " Faith said. "We just go up and do it together. It's weird."

Chelsec is the battalion's executive officer, one step under battalion commander. She is also the commander of the drill team. Her younger sister said her goal since starting as a freshman has been to achieve the rank of battalion commander.

Their father was in the military, and their mother often told them about her experience participating in ROTC in high school.

The sisters weren't into too many sports. JROTC was the natural choice.

Chelsec started with the Raiders before being recruited to the drill team. Faith followed suit.

"It helps with discipline," Faith said. "I can tell you left, right, up and down, I was not the model citizen before I went to high school."

Faith said she wasn't a trouble-maker, but said now when her mother asks her to do something, she responds, "Yes, ma'am."

A secondary benefit has been the competition. The sisters say they might do some work to their area routine to spruce it up for state. They might add more stunts after playing it safe at the area meet. A typical routine requires a variety of rifle spins and tosses.

"We're going for first place," Faith said. "No doubt in my mind."