Spencer Rolfe knows the drill.
The junior, who is Cadet Captain for Lafayette’s JROTC unit, began practicing for unarmed rifle exhibitions his freshman year, moving up to armed drill in April of 2009.
In the competitions, ROTC units perform complicated routines with decommissioned service rifles.
Rolfe has won several awards for his drill routines, including first place tandem at the 2010 Ozark Invitational Drill Meet, first place tandem at the 2011 Ozark Invitational Drill Meet, and first place solo at the 2011 Ozark Invitational Drill Meet.
He was drawn to drill because of the activity’s unique appeal.
“My favorite part is that there’s no limit to what you can do with your rifle, the only limit is your creativity,” Rolfe explained.
“Also, I enjoy the fact that within the past years drill has spawned an enormous underground community,” he said.
Rolfe said that the most common drill rifles are 1903A3 Springfield, M1 Garand, and M14/M1A. The average rifle weighs about nine pounds.
According to Rolfe, rifle exhibitions are often misunderstood.
“My least favorite part [of participating in drill] would be [dealing with] those who don’t understand what drill is and don’t give it a chance to see what it’s all about,” he said.
However, he stresses that those active in drill are athletes like any other.
“Drill is a cardio activity. While having strong arms is important, having an extremely strong and conditioned core is very important,” Rolfe explained. “It’s been said that you cannot go through a 3-5 minute routine without being able to run at least 5 miles non-stop.”
He even says he’s seen the sport’s physicality be too much for some contestants.
“There are a few schools who have routines where people will pass out while preforming if not conditioned correctly,” he said.
With clothing companies keeping the difficulty and effort of drill in mind, a market has emerged for drill athletic apparel.
“Skaters have Vans, Fighters have Tapout, Ballers have Nike – most people wouldn’t guess that there is even a clothing company just for drill,” Rolfe said. “It’s called For the Art Drill Clothing.”
Rolfe plans on taking his talent and passion for drill to the next step after high school. He hopes to attend Norwich University’s AFROTC program before commissioning in the air force.
