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US Air Force JROTC National Drill Championships

Saturday, March 7, 2026 | Nutter Center Arena, Fairborn, Ohio

Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do

On behalf of Sports Network International and the U.S. Air Force Headquarters, we are honored to extend this invitation to the 2026 Air Force Open Nationals. This premier championship brings together Air Force and Space Force JROTC programs from across the nation for a day of exceptional drill competition at the world-class Nutter Center Arena.

In it's 24th year, the US Air Force JROTC Drill Championships continues to set the standard for excellence in JROTC drill competition. We look forward to welcoming your cadets and instructors to this outstanding tradition.

Premier Air Force/Space Force JROTC competition drill event of the Spring in its 24th year

Supported by US Air Force JROTC Headquarters at Maxwell AFB, Alabama

Produced by SNI with over 43 years of experience managing 300+ national competitions

Comprehensive judges training both in advance and on-site ensures fair, consistent judging

Submit and track all paperwork & payments online via MySchool – the finest system available today

Nutter Center Arena offers elevated fixed seating for over 6,000 spectators

Dayton, Ohio is easily accessible via major interstates for bus & van travel as well as air travel

Ample free parking, extensive indoor/outdoor practice areas, and concessions

Schools are free to secure hotel accommodations but SNI does offer discounts to select nearby hotels.

Schools can register in Armed & Unarmed divisions with limited later entries accepted

Visit the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB – more than just a drill event!

Unparalleled client support throughout the entire competition – we're here to assist!

Event Registration

Schools are accepted on an earliest post-marked basis

School Registration Fee: $200 per school

Contact SNI for registration details if you have any special entry requests

Register at the custom MySchool website: myschool.thenationals.net

Package Plan

Required for all Cadets | Optional for Instructors or Supporters

All competing cadets are required to attend through the Package Plan to cover all costs and to provide all attendees with cherished competition momentos.

Package Includes:

  • Event bronze medallion on chest ribbon
  • Event t-shirt (ordered to size)
  • Professionally shot 8"x10" color team photo taken during the event
  • Ability to compete in Knockout and all competition events
  • Just $20 per person

Parents, administrators & instructors may choose to receive this package, but this must be done with the submission of all the names and shirt sizes on their MySchool account.

Competition Events

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Armed & Unarmed Divisions

Nutter Center Arena - 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Fairborn, Ohio

Competition Events:

  • Inspection (8-12 cadets + cmdr)
  • Regulation (9-12 cadets + cmdr)
  • Color Guard (4 cadets)
  • Exhibition (8 cadets + cmdr min, no max)
  • Armed Solo Exhibition (1 entry per team)
  • Armed & Unarmed Dual Exhibition (1 entry per team)
  • Schools can request extra solo/dual entries if space allows

Awards, Trophies & Accolades

Open Nationals Overall Championship: Trophy (armed/unarmed) nearly 60" tall!

All Events: 1st through 5th place trophies awarded due to the amazing depth of talent & number of schools

NHSDTC Reserved Space: Overall top four finishers have a reserved competition space to compete in the NHSDTC in Daytona Beach in May

Live Streaming: Awards ceremony streamed via Air Force Open National Facebook page

Competition Awards: The finest event trophies and cadet competition awards presented anywhere!