A large group of JROTC cadets in camouflage uniforms stands in formation in front of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, posing together beneath the building’s distinctive angular architecture.

Culpeper County MCJROTC Performs at National Museum of the Marine Corps During Change of Command Ceremony

Culpeper County Public Schools

March 20, 2026

Triangle, Va. — March 11, 2026

The Culpeper County Marine Corps Junior ROTC (MCJROTC) program held its Company Change of Command ceremony on March 11 at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, drawing hundreds of visitors who witnessed the cadets’ display of leadership and tradition.

During the ceremony, the unit’s Drum and Bugle Platoon performed the National Anthem and led the formation in a “March On Parade” in front of the museum. The performance highlighted one of the Marine Corps’ oldest elements of unit formation—military music.

A group of JROTC cadets in camouflage uniforms marches in formation across a plaza, playing drums and carrying a flag, while a crowd of onlookers stands nearby against a large concrete wall.

Drum and bugle units have long been part of Marine Corps tradition, historically used to signal commands on the battlefield and maintain cadence for marching formations. Today, they remain an important ceremonial component, connecting modern service members and cadets with the Corps’ heritage.

Cadet Commanding Officer Andrew Martin, a senior at Culpeper County High School, said the musical tradition remains a source of pride for the unit.

“We are very proud of Culpeper and our music,” Martin said.

Martin will attend the Virginia Military Institute in the fall, continuing his path of military leadership and service.

Randi Richards-Lutz, Director of Career and Technical Education for Culpeper County Public Schools, praised the cadets’ performance and leadership.  “This ceremony reflects the discipline, leadership, and pride our cadets bring to everything they do. Opportunities like this not only honor Marine Corps traditions but also help prepare our students to lead with confidence in their future careers,” Richards-Lutz said.

The Change of Command ceremony marked a transition of leadership within the MCJROTC company, reinforcing the program’s focus on discipline, responsibility, and the development of future leaders. Visitors at the museum paused to watch the cadets’ performance, applauding as the formation marched across the parade area.  The new Commanding Officer is Cadet Evelyn Godnez, a junior at Eastern View High School. 

The event showcased the dedication of the Culpeper County cadets while honoring the enduring traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

Two JROTC cadets in camouflage uniforms stand facing each other at attention during a formal inspection or ceremony, while additional cadets stand in formation behind them; a person at the left holds a clipboard with paperwork.A large formation of JROTC cadets stands in organized rows outside the National Museum of the Marine Corps, with a drumline positioned to the right and the museum’s distinctive angular structure rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky.