The Mountain Home High School NJROTC marksmanship team recently received a $5,000 donation during the annual Second Amendment Dinner. Cadet Lt. Aspen Douglas and Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Tyler Webb represented the team at the event, formally accepting the check earmarked for supporting training resources, upgraded equipment, and travel to regional competitions.
“Community support like this makes a tremendous difference in our ability to provide meaningful opportunities for our cadets,” said Chief Jason Williams, Naval Science instructor and coach of the marksmanship team. “We are grateful to everyone who invests in these young people and helps them continue to learn, improve, and compete.”
The donation comes as part of an ongoing history of community support for the program. Last fall, the Second Amendment Legacy Foundation—a Mountain Home nonprofit that hosts an annual fundraising banquet—awarded $4,746.75 to the NJROTC program as part of a broader initiative that distributed over $49,000 to area shooting programs.
The funds arrive during a competitive season marked by rigorous training and travel for the team. Earlier this month, Mountain Home’s precision and sporter squads competed at the Joe Sharbel Fall Classic Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee. The event, held at Montgomery Bell Academy, is one of the largest high school air rifle competitions in the country and brought together JROTC and junior marksmanship teams from across the nation. Beyond competition, the trip provided opportunities for team-building and leadership development.
Program leadership emphasizes that the marksmanship program is more than a sport—it is a leadership tool designed to teach focus, responsibility, self-discipline, and attention to detail. Cadets are trained to meet these demands as part of a structured competitive season. This year, Mountain Home competes in the JROTC Distinguished Division of the National Precision Air Rifle League. The team opened the current campaign with a virtual match against Eldorado MCJROTC of Albuquerque, New Mexico, finishing with a team score of 2163.6. Matches involve a 60-shot standing course, scored to the decimal, with the top four individual scores contributing to the team total.
Tuesday’s donation highlights the achievements and growing reputation of the NJROTC marksmanship program. Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Tyler Webb and Cadet Lt. Aspen Douglas, who accepted the check, are experienced competitors in the program’s ranks. Last season, Webb contributed to a strong performance in the National Air Rifle New Shooter League, while Douglas competed in prestigious championships, including the Civilian Marksmanship Program Southeast Regional Championships in Anniston, Alabama. Last December, the team also traveled to Colorado Springs for the Winter Air Gun Championships at the U.S. Olympic Training Facility.
Mountain Home’s NJROTC unit consists of 92 cadets and fields 15 competition teams, including the marksmanship team. The battalion has also been recognized as the Most Outstanding Unit in its area, encompassing Arkansas and nearby states. In addition to competing, cadets contribute to the community through service, logging more than 800 hours last year and performing 17 color guard presentations. The program also serves as the official high school partner of the USS Arkansas, a newly commissioned nuclear attack submarine.
Chief Williams and program leadership expressed gratitude to the organizers and donors of the Second Amendment Dinner. They said the funds would directly benefit the marksmanship team as it continues its league schedule and prepares for upcoming regional competitions.