𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐉𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐂 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

Stanhope Elmore High School’s (SEHS’s) Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program is preparing to take training and competition opportunities to the next level with the addition of a new obstacle course designed to support cadet development, regional events, and community partnerships.

“We are very excited to have this facility coming to Elmore County,” said Superintendent Richard Dennis. “The SEHS JROTC Raider Team has really stepped up and started dominating in Alabama and at the national level.”

The course marks a major investment in both student leadership development and quality-of-life infrastructure, creating opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

“The implementation of the obstacle course is a significant upgrade for our program, shifting the curriculum from purely classroom-based leadership to high-impact, hands-on physical training,” said Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Kindley, JROTC instructor. “It will also give the raider team realistic training on actual obstacles, something we didn’t have before. We can host events and have a home-field advantage. Thank you to the City of Millbrook, Elmore County Commission, and the Board of Education for investing to make this facility a reality.”

Beyond the physical demands, the obstacle course is designed to strengthen cadets’ leadership and problem-solving skills that they can carry into future careers, military service, and community leadership roles.

“Critical thinking and adaptability are the first things that come to mind,” said Kindley. “Cadets must troubleshoot how to get an entire team and equipment over a 10-foot wall, for example. If they fail, they will need to adapt and overcome the obstacle.”

In addition to giving SEHS’s Raiders a dedicated training space, the course is expected to position Elmore County as a destination for JROTC competitions and collaborative training opportunities.

State and regional events are expected to bring visiting teams, families, and supporters to the area, and the course can be used for local first-responder exercises as well as team-building opportunities for businesses and organizations across the community.

“We have seen this JROTC program do tremendous work, so we are proud to support them in any way we can,” said Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley. “This is also the kind of project that helps us grow the right way. It gives our students more opportunities, brings folks into the community for events, and helps make Elmore County a better place to live and raise a family.”

The SEHS JROTC obstacle course represents more than just a training space. It reflects a collaborative investment in student development, tourism, and quality of life.​​​