Battalion History
The Rough Rider Battalion began in 1966 with the opening of Theodore Roosevelt High School. Since its inception, the battalion has striven for excellence and served the local community. Throughout its lifespan, the battalion has been led by many instructors who have developed the leadership ability of countless cadets and helped them to become better citizens. The following page will go over the history of our battalion and details many of its awards, championships, and accomplishments.
1970's:
When the school first opened, the battalion was still trying to figure itself out. While cadets were already establishing the drill and rifle team traditions that remain in place to this day, they also participated in a variety of activities that are no longer part of the JROTC curriculum such as military and combat training. The beginning the battalion’s history was also distinct in that female cadets were referred to as sweethearts and not required to wear uniforms. This policy change in the 1972-73 school year, as females would be given the opportunity to fully participate in uniform wear and become full fledged members of the battalion. From this decision the Riderettes unarmed drill team would soon form and begin competing.
When the school first opened, the battalion was still trying to figure itself out. While cadets were already establishing the drill and rifle team traditions that remain in place to this day, they also participated in a variety of activities that are no longer part of the JROTC curriculum such as military and combat training. The beginning the battalion’s history was also distinct in that female cadets were referred to as sweethearts and not required to wear uniforms. This policy change in the 1972-73 school year, as females would be given the opportunity to fully participate in uniform wear and become full fledged members of the battalion. From this decision the Riderettes unarmed drill team would soon form and begin competing.
Early 1980's:
The 1980's were a transitional period for the Roosevelt battalion, as many of the more obscure activities of the 1970's were dropped. This period marked the heyday of the costume oriented combat ball, a stark distinction from the formal military ball experience. This time period was also when the battalion brought cadets to perform rappelling and riflery activities at camp Bullis. Finally, during the early 1980's the rifle team, San Juan Guard, and Riderettes all thrived, although they were not yet able to demonstrate their abilities at the national level.
The 1980's were a transitional period for the Roosevelt battalion, as many of the more obscure activities of the 1970's were dropped. This period marked the heyday of the costume oriented combat ball, a stark distinction from the formal military ball experience. This time period was also when the battalion brought cadets to perform rappelling and riflery activities at camp Bullis. Finally, during the early 1980's the rifle team, San Juan Guard, and Riderettes all thrived, although they were not yet able to demonstrate their abilities at the national level.
Late 1980's-2000:
From the late 1980's to 2000, the Rough Rider Battalion experienced immense success in almost everything they did. During this time period, the Riderettes unarmed drill team would win eight national high school drill team championships, and the armed San Juan Guard drill team would capture four national championships of their own. The rifle team would also win three national air rifle team championships during this time. The battalion would also win the Superintendent’s Trophy for the most outstanding battalion in NEISD twelve straight times from 1989 to 2000.
From the late 1980's to 2000, the Rough Rider Battalion experienced immense success in almost everything they did. During this time period, the Riderettes unarmed drill team would win eight national high school drill team championships, and the armed San Juan Guard drill team would capture four national championships of their own. The rifle team would also win three national air rifle team championships during this time. The battalion would also win the Superintendent’s Trophy for the most outstanding battalion in NEISD twelve straight times from 1989 to 2000.
2000-2010:
From 2000-2010, the Riderettes captured one national championship in unarmed drill at the 2001 all service nationals. The Riderettes were also the western region unarmed drill champions in 2004, 2005, and 2007. The battalion had its also had its first District Cadet of The Year winner Hyun Kim during the 2007-2008 school year. This was also the same year that Roosevelt completed a massive campus renovation, which led to the JROTC program moving into the all new Rose McKinnon Hall. During this era, the battalion also created an orienteering team that tested the map reading, navigation, and endurance of cadets. This time period also featured the creation of the Big Stick Detachment, which performed at the Roosevelt football games to increase school spirit and support.
From 2000-2010, the Riderettes captured one national championship in unarmed drill at the 2001 all service nationals. The Riderettes were also the western region unarmed drill champions in 2004, 2005, and 2007. The battalion had its also had its first District Cadet of The Year winner Hyun Kim during the 2007-2008 school year. This was also the same year that Roosevelt completed a massive campus renovation, which led to the JROTC program moving into the all new Rose McKinnon Hall. During this era, the battalion also created an orienteering team that tested the map reading, navigation, and endurance of cadets. This time period also featured the creation of the Big Stick Detachment, which performed at the Roosevelt football games to increase school spirit and support.
2010-2020:
From 2010-2020 the Rough Rider Battalion continued to build upon its tradition of excellence and devotion to developing cadets into great leaders and citizens. The Riderettes unarmed drill team won the Western Region Championships in 2011, the Army National Championships in 2016, and the 5th Brigade Championships in 2018. The Battalion also had its second District Cadet of the Year winner, Samantha Bakaysa, who captured the honor during the 2015-2016 school year.
Roosevelt also captured the Superintendent's Trophy for the district’s most outstanding Battalion during the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 school years and had the National JROTC Instructor of the 2019 -2020 school year- their very own Master Sergeant Marchantia Johnson.
For the 2019-20 school year the CyberPatriot teams maintained the top 2 rankings in the state of Texas and placed 1st and 3rd at their National Championship as well.
Unfortunately for the 2019-2020 Army Nationals Drill Competition both the Armed and Un-Armed Drill Teams missed the opportunity to prove themselves once more as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Army Nationals competition and was cancelled. Looking ahead and moving into the 2020 school year, Instructors and Cadets alike faced a seemingly endless barrage of difficulties as they made an unexpected transition from in-person to virtual learning. Hosting its first virtual Cadet of the Month board and switching to providing all of its usual ceremonies via Zoom, the Rough Rider Battalion persevered and provided a smooth transition for its growing cadet population.
From 2010-2020 the Rough Rider Battalion continued to build upon its tradition of excellence and devotion to developing cadets into great leaders and citizens. The Riderettes unarmed drill team won the Western Region Championships in 2011, the Army National Championships in 2016, and the 5th Brigade Championships in 2018. The Battalion also had its second District Cadet of the Year winner, Samantha Bakaysa, who captured the honor during the 2015-2016 school year.
Roosevelt also captured the Superintendent's Trophy for the district’s most outstanding Battalion during the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 school years and had the National JROTC Instructor of the 2019 -2020 school year- their very own Master Sergeant Marchantia Johnson.
For the 2019-20 school year the CyberPatriot teams maintained the top 2 rankings in the state of Texas and placed 1st and 3rd at their National Championship as well.
Unfortunately for the 2019-2020 Army Nationals Drill Competition both the Armed and Un-Armed Drill Teams missed the opportunity to prove themselves once more as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Army Nationals competition and was cancelled. Looking ahead and moving into the 2020 school year, Instructors and Cadets alike faced a seemingly endless barrage of difficulties as they made an unexpected transition from in-person to virtual learning. Hosting its first virtual Cadet of the Month board and switching to providing all of its usual ceremonies via Zoom, the Rough Rider Battalion persevered and provided a smooth transition for its growing cadet population.