Military Scholars Youth Development Services

Military Scholars Youth Development Services is a North Carolina nonprofit that organizes Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) high school drill competitions. Marcus Bryant, founder and CEO, launched the organization to support economically disadvantaged teens and help them access necessary health, social and mental health resources. Bryant served in the Virginia Army National Guard and used to participate in Junior ROTC programs. For years he was a passionate volunteer and supporter of drill competitions, and in 2020 he officially established his own nonprofit. The organization runs three annual events open to Junior ROTC students from across the country: the Hampton Roads Drill Championship in Newport News, Virginia; and the Queen City Drill Classic and North Carolina JROTC State Drill Championship, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. High school teams compete in four disciplines of drill: regulation, exhibition, color guard and inspection. More than a competition The organization is dedicated to encouraging, inspiring and motivating young people to be social, live healthy and thrive academically. Each event includes life skills seminars on a range of topics, from safe and healthy habits to basic financial literacy. “While students are drilling and competing, they also have the opportunity to go over and talk to counselors about those different topics,” Bryant said. Recruiters from the U.S. Air Force®, Army®, Marines® and Navy® attend the events and work with the students.

For more information about Military Scholars Youth Development Services, please visit https://www.msyds.org/ opens in new window