Cadet Competition

2026 MAR Cadet Competition

STAFF REGISTRATION OPEN! 

The Mid-Atlantic Region Cadet Competition provides a venue to foster teamwork, competition, integrity, and pride, and provide a learning opportunity for all participants. Applications to staff the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Region Cadet Competition are open!  

APPLY HERE: MAR CADET COMPETITION STAFF APPLICATION (2026) – Fill out form  

Questions regarding this event shall be directed to the Activity Director, MSgt Ellen Franks ellen.franks@ncwgcap.org.  

 

EVENT DETAILS:   

• Date:  August 21 - August 23, 2026 (all in-person events); 1 – 20 August (all virtual events)  

• Time: Arrival - 1600-1800 Friday (Staff), 1800-2000 Friday (Competitors); Departure – 1200 Sunday (All)   

• Location: Virginia State Military Reservation – 1208 S. Birdneck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA (all in-person events); Absorb LMS, Microsoft Teams (all virtual events)    

• Fees: There is NO FEE for staff, competitors, and escorts.   

• Meals will be provided for all staff, competitors, and escorts.   

• Billeting provided for all staff, competitors, and escorts.   

• COV usage is authorized for Team transportation to/from/during the event.     

• Competition Categories   

• Core: Cadet Life (required)  

• Elective: Aerospace Education, Color Guard, Emergency Services, Leadership  

• Events  

• Events in Cadet Life Category: General Knowledge Exam (virtual); Element Standard Drill, CPFT, Uniform Inspection (in-person events).   

• Events in Elective Categories (wings choose 2-4 elective categories to compete in, each category chosen consists of two mandatory events: Aerospace Education - AE Knowledge Exam (virtual), Drone Operations (in-person); Color Guard – Indoor Posting, Parade Sequence (both in-person); Emergency Services – TBD; Leadership – Public Speaking (Impromptu and Extemporaneous – virtual), TLP (in-person).  

  Cadet Staff Positions  

Cadet Adjutant (send resume and cover letter to POCs)	Event Timekeeper   Public Affairs
Cadet Operations Assistant(s)	Kitchen Staff/Logistics
Event Marshal(s)	Chief Judge(s)/Event Judge(s)

  

Senior Member Staff Positions   

Deputy Director of Support   Assistant Deputies of Ops/Support	Public Affairs NCO/OIC   Administrative NCO/OIC
Finance NCO/OIC   Communications NCO/OIC	Safety NCO/OIC    Health Services NCO/OIC
Logistics/Kitchen NCO/OIC	Scorekeeper(s)
Chief Judge(s)/Event Judge(s)

  

TEAMS (one Team per Wing):  

• Virtual events: 4-10 cadets per wing.  

• In-person events: 4-14 cadets per wing, two Senior Member Team Escorts.  

• Each cadet may participate only in-person, only virtually, or both in-person and virtually (see Events). NOTE: Cadets competing in any capacity are not eligible to staff the competition in any capacity.  

• Team/competitor registration information will be sent to wing commanders and DCPs.    

RESOURCES:  

• APPLY HERE: MAR CADET COMPETITION STAFF APPLICATION (2026) – Fill out form  

• TEAM DESIGNATION – TBD  

• MAR Cadet Competition Website  

  

POCs:   

• Activity Director – MSgt Ellen Franks ellen.franks@ncwgcap.org  

• Deputy Director of Operations – SMSgt Carlos Latorre carlos.latorre@vawg.cap.gov  

  

2025 MAR Cadet Competition results

Overall Placement: 1st - Virginia Wing, 2nd - Maryland Wing, 3rd - North Carolina Wing

Aerospace Education Category: 1st - Maryland Wing, 2nd - South Carolina Wing, 3rd - West Virginia Wing 

Color Guard Category: 1st - Virginia Wing, 2nd - Maryland Wing, 3rd - West Virginia Wing 

Leadership Category: 1st - Virginia Wing, 2nd - North Carolina Wing, 3rd - West Virginia Wing 

Cadet Life Category: 1st - Virginia Wing, 2nd - North Carolina Wing, 3rd - West Virginia Wing 

Top Performer Awards: Top CPFT Score - North Carolina Wing; Top Standard Drill Score - West Virginia Wing; Top Uniform Inspection Score - North Carolina Wing; Top General Knowledge Exam Score - C/SSgt Seth Karnes, West Virginia Wing

Special Recognition: Cadet Warrior Spirit Award - C/CMSgt Lucas Allen, competitor from Virginia Wing; Senior Member Phyllis Griffin Spirit of the Competition Award - SMSgt Carlos Latorre, staff member from Virginia Wing

 

Event Photos: Link to SmugMug Gallery

(updated 7/26/2026)