2nd Annual Bulldog Battle: FPC ROTC Hosts Annual PT Battle for Florida Schools ROTC Programs

This past Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Air Force ROTC program hosted their second annual Bulldog Battle. The Bulldog battle is a friendly PT competition among the ROTC programs throughout the state. FPC was the hosting school, and eight different schools from all over Florida came to compete in the competition. The following ROTC programs were among the competitors at the Bulldog battle;

Bartram Trail – Air Force

Space Coast – Space Force

Deland – Air Force

Celebration – Air Force

Lake Worth Community – Air Force

West Nassau – Air Force

Paxon – Army

Dr. Phillips – Air Force

These ROTC students competed in a myriad of exercises that started at roughly 9 am, and lasted until about 2pm with an hour lunch. The battle started off with a flag ceremony by the FPC ROTC. After the flag ceremony members of the FPC ROTC announced how the competition would work. They listed the PT exercises that the battle would consist of, which included a one mile race, sit ups, rifle relay, pullups, medicine ball throws, a mystery obstacle course, a Sally Up competition, and a classic tug of way competition. Each exercise had both a female bracket and a male bracket. Throughout the day, ROTC students competed in good natured fun and games to see who would ultimately take home the best and most awards. The awards ceremony was held on the field directly after the competition, and awards were only given to the top three in each game (male and female) and then the top three RTOC Teams overall (both male and female).

Judges lined the field and included active duty military personnel and more. Judges were there to determine who was knocked out and who was still in during the games, as well as keeping score of their assigned team. FPC ROTC students were also assigned to the competing teams to ensure all of their questions were answer. FPC ROTC members were also on standby to demonstrate each game and the proper forms and rules for each competition.

The entire event was run by FPC ROTC students, who were supervised by their Colonel, and their Master Chief. Other volunteers, like FPC ROTC parents were there to assist in other ways such as overseeing the concession stands, obtaining drone footage, and helping answer questions. There was also a volunteer nurse on site should anyone obtain any injuries during the competition. Thankfully, it appeared the only injury was a muscle cramp that was easily remedied.

The FPC ROTC plans to hold their annual Bulldog battle again next year as well, and it will be great to see the competition grow, along with our local ROTC program at FPC.