General Info

Thank you for considering entry in the U.S. Army JROTC Battle of the Beach Drone Competition. We believe this event, with support from the U.S. Army, ERAU ROTC and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will quickly grow in the coming years to be a huge force in the Aerial Drone Competition Community. You are making a great call to consider attending in the inaugural year and gaining an advantage on your future through your attendance. Remember, this is not just a Drone Competition, it is a "Weekend Aeronautical Adventure!"

The main tournament will take place Saturday on the competition date listed.

Lunch will be provided to every competing cadet AT NO CHARGE. Vouchers will be distributed at event check-in upon entering the facility in the morning.

The event Awards Ceremony will be held in the afternoon at the time listed on the Event Schedule posted on-line under "DOCUMENT & IMAGE UPLOADS". We plan to begin at 9am Eastern time with registration doors opening at 8am, but our agenda is flexible and subject to moldification based on the number of registered teams. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call or email the contact information found herein.

Concessions: We will have a full concession stand available at the event.

Consent Forms: All participants must have a Participant Release Form on file. It is the responsibility of the Team’s Primary Contact to make sure this occurs. A link to the instructions on how to submit a Participant Release Form is located in the Documents section.

Inspection: Inspection is scheduled first thing in the morning at the Battle of the Beach. All teams must pass inspection to be allowed to compete. Please be prepared and ensure that your team is aware of the safety rules and that the drone will pass inspection BEFORE the competition by reviewing the INSPECTION CHECKLISTS found under the Documents Tab. 

Interviews: All teams will be interviewed in-person at the event. Judges will begin interviewing teams in the morning prior to qualification matches and will leave a note at your table if they miss you. Please leave a representative at your pit area at all times so they can come get you when the judges are ready for your team.

Competition Logbooks (physical copies) will be collected at Team Check-in for judging.

Tournament: Teams should carefully review the COMPETITION MANUAL and the Official Q&A for the Aerial Drone Competition.  Know the rules!!  Anything you are unclear on must be posted on the official Q&A to be answered by the GDC. The Competition Manual and Judging Rubrics can be found under the Documents Tab.

Advanced Briefing: The event will maintain a general information Q&A TEAMS MEETING for all schools tentatively slated for Monday, December 9th. This should last no more than 30 minutes and all schools are strongly encouraged to be on line for any late-breaking information. This briefing will be recorded and emailed to all schools as any changes or other late-breaking information will be the responsibility of the team to adhere to. 

PLEASE NOTE:  
1. While we believe all 30 competition slots will be grabbed by JROTC programs, which will qualify teams to the JROTC All Service National Championship. Non-JROTC programs will also be accepted. 

2.This event is located in the Southeast Region which includes: USA: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. Only teams that are a part of the Southeast Region are eligible to earn invitations to Regional Championships from this event. If your team is from outside this region, you may attend the event and will be eligible to earn awards and post scores to the global skills rankings, but will not be eligible to qualify for a Regional Championship from this event.

3. As the US Army is the primary sponsor of this competition, ALL ARMY JROTC PROGRAMS WILL RECEIVE A $50 CREDIT UPON ON-SITE REGISTRATION THE DAY OF THE EVENT. This may be used by the team for food, merchandise or other items - it is your money!

4. We are looking for THREE PROGRAMS to donate their game systems and related items for use at this competition. This will be selected on an earliest volunteer basis. Teams who volunteer their systems will receive upgraded, glass-enclosed home base locations free of charge, recognition as an event supporter at the awards ceremony, and complete waiving their registration fee! (THIS HAS BEEN DONE, THANK YOU!)

5. Sports Network Internationals will work jointly with the ERAU Army ROTC Department to host this event.

6. The competition room is stunning but maintains a fire suppression system near the high ceilings that are roughly 22' in the air. Therefore, any school that flies a drone at or near the ceiling intentionally or otherwise will be disqualified from the event, no exceptions.

7. The judges room is found just off the main competition floor. There is also a table in the center of the competition for them as well. Cadets, look frosty - communications judges are very interested in what you are doing!

8. A detailed parking diagram will be posted in the coming days - please review to ensure you know exactly where to park at the event.

9. Attending the awards ceremony is a portion of the event for ALL SCHOOLS regardless of finish. We know many of you have come from a long way but we make the ceremony VERY SHORT so we implore you to attend. To that end, the 8"x10" Team Photos every cadet and Drone Team Instructor will receive will ONLY be given to the teams that are present AT THE END of the CEREMONY - no exceptions! 

10. On the same vane, we will NOT ship trophies nor store them for teams that leave the competition early before the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony. 
. 
11. Please contact SNI toll-free at 800-327-9311 for assistance or additional information.

Grade Level: High School

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: All In-Person Judging