Christian Raker is a senior at Air Academy High School (AAHS) who is most notably known for his position and time in the schools Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). He’s been involved in many of the classes activities such as their Drill and Raider teams. By spending multiple hours in those clubs and classes, he’s received numerous awards for his constant dedication and care for the JROTC program.
Raker’s best friend has also been a part of the JROTC classes and programs for all the years Raker has attended, being by his side the entire time.
“I’ve known Christian since sophomore year of high school. We met at a Junior ROTC picnic at the end of the year and we just hit it off. I sat next to one of my good friends Kyle and he sat down next to us and we started up a conversation and just sort of clicked,” senior Ryan Bong said.
Raker has been in JROTC for 4 years, but only AAHS’s JROTC for 3.
“So, it’s kind of weird. I was in Airforce JROTC for 3 years and I’ve done Drill all 3 years. My first year I was in Navy ROTC and we did Drill, but it was kind of different. I’ve also done Raider team all 4 years as well,” Raker explained.
What exactly does Raker do in his Raider and Drill teams? He’s most notable for his time in Exhibition.
“He’s been on drill for all 4 years he’s been in JROTC. His first year, he was in Naval ROTC when he lived in Amarillo Texas. He’s been on Raider team all 4 years. He’s very, very, VERY strong, especially with pull-ups. On Drill, he’s very good at exhibition, which is the spinning of the rifle. He is the exhibition commander for this year and he was the raider team commander for the first semester,” Bong shared.
While being a part of these competitions, he’s won numerous places and awards!
“So for Drill, I got first at nationals for a tandem for exhibition. It just means I spin a rifle real cool. Our team award, we got third at nationals. We got first in Color Guard in Denver nationals. We got second overall my sophomore year, so two years ago out of 60 schools which was pretty cool. For Raider last year in Daytona Florida, we got second overall and number one Airforce unit in the Nation. I’ve gotten first in a lot of things like solo and drill downs which are really fun,” Raker exclaimed.
Bong isn’t the only one who’s noticed Raker’s incredible achievements. Colonel Huber has been with Raker as a leader for all 3 years of him being at AAHS.
“I think Christian is probably one of the more disciplined students I’ve seen when it comes to fitness. He really works hard and gets results. So I think he’s a role model when it comes to that standpoint in physical fitness. he’s not a huge kid, but he’s one of the strongest pound for pound kids I’ve seen in my fourteen years of doing this. In Drill, he’s our number one armed exhibition Kadet and that takes discipline and focus, so I think he’s a role model for discipline and focus,” Huber said.
Raker is a role model and an example of how time put in to something you care about can heavily result in your success. By dedicating his time to the gym, JROTC, and his clubs, Raker has become an inspiration to many.
