Cadet Activities
Rangers
The mission of the Rangers is to allow the cadets to learn advanced military skills. The Ranger Platoon is both physically and mentally demanding. The cadets work hard throughout the year toward the goal of earning the black beret which is awarded on Military Day and worn only by senior Rangers. Ranger Instructors teach a variety of military skills and tactics, such as Basic Hand to Hand, Rappelling, Small Unit Tactical Movement, Night Operations, Camouflage Techniques, Basic Mountaineering and Basic Weapons Training. The training is put to use throughout the school year against various opposition forces comprised of other cadets and staff. The physical demands are strenuous but the rewards are great. The cadet must be able to pass a minimum PT qualification in order to become part of the Ranger Platoon. RANGERS Lead the Way!!
Flag Football
What it is, is football...
Flag football, that is! Flag football is the intramural sport of choice during the Winter months on the Futch Parade Field, where the action is usually fast and furious. Brothers from the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity at Auburn University have “adopted†Lyman Ward and enjoy competing with the cadets on Monday afternoons after Drill. The Intramural Sports program is designed for those cadets who do not participate in interscholastic sports.
Mentor Program
Mentor Program Provides Personal Attention
Lyman Ward is well into its fourth year of a formal mentoring program, in which a small group of four or five cadets are paired with a faculty mentor, whose purpose is to serve as an "adult advocate" for their concerns and problems. Mentor groups meet twice a month for a specially prepared luncheon in the Academy's Dining Hall, and also enjoy several off-campus outings each semester. "The program provides opportunities to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between faculty and students" says Counselor Jeff Damron, who directs the program. "Every cadet at Lyman Ward is fortunate to have several adults involved in his life, all of whom are committed to helping him be the best student and person he can be."
Cadet Challenge
Challenge Promotes Competition
Army Junior ROTC Instructor Lee Kolb, center, records information during the annual campus-wide Cadet Challenge physical fitness test conducted by the Army JROTC Department in October. The physical fitness test involves a number of skill-based activities in which cadets are compared with a national sample. Each cadet participates and is measured against other young men in the same age group.
Drill Team
The Drill Team is open to all cadets from 9-12th grade who love a challenge and like to compete against other schools in Drill and Ceremonies. Currently our Drill Team competes in the Regulation Drill Category, with Arms and without Arms, competing each year in different competitions around the state. Our Drill Team drills with the Springfield M1903 rifle. This year the team competed at the Veteran's Day Drill Competition in Birmingham and came in 3rd place in the Regulation Drill with Arms category. The Drill Team is currently practicing for the upcoming yearly event at Auburn University called the War Eagle Invitational where schools from all over come and compete in the Drill competition.
Our Drill team marches each year in some of the areas off-campus parades. This year the Drill Team marched in the Birmingham Veteran's Day Parade, Opelika Christmas Parade, and the Camp Hill Christmas Parade. Our Drill Team wears red berets and look very sharp in their uniforms. We encourage young people to be a part of the proud tradition here at Lyman Ward and represent our school with pride on the Drill Team.
The Drill Team instructor is 1SG James Lewis. Currently our Drill Team consists of 15 cadets.
Rifle Team
The Rifle Team is open to all cadets 9-12th grade who have a strong desire to compete on a high school level with air rifles. Currently our Rifle Team shoots in the sportier division and competes with Daisy 853 air rifles. The rifle team competes in the Alabama Northeast Area JROTC Rifle League. The league is recognized and uses the NRA rules for air rifles. The teams compete in a 3-position league which consists of the prone, kneeling, and standing positions from 33 feet. We had a successful 2003 fall season with the A Team finishing runner-up and the B team finishing 5th in a 14 team League. The team competes every year in the Auburn University War Eagle Invitational where schools from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida compete for two days in the air rifle competitions.
We currently have two rifle teams, Team A & Team B, consisting of five shooters per team. The teams practice after school on Tuesday and Wednesday with their instructor, 1SG Lee Kolb, at the James E. Brooks indoor rifle range.
Sponsored Outings
During the school year, there are school sponsored outings that the cadets can participate in such as white water rafting, Six Flags Over Georgia, snow skiing, Disney World, JROTC drill competitions and other off-campus activities.
A few fun activities
Bible Study
Bible Study activity meets each Thursday afternoon from 4:00 – 5:00 P.M. with Mrs. Liz Conway. It is strictly a voluntary activity. As its name indicates, it is time spent studying the Bible and the applications of the teachings of Christ. Watching Christian videos, listening to guest speakers, and studying specific scriptures are some of the ways the hour is spent. We usually have refreshments which is a big hit with the cadets!