Bardstown Middle School students joined their Bardstown and Nelson County High School teammates for the Air Force JROTC Defender Games. The Games are an annual competition held in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 78th Birthday.

Thanks to a cross-town agreement with Nelson County High School, Bardstown City School students can participate in Air Force JROTC. Currently, about 50 Bardstown City School students are enrolled in the program—24 from Bardstown Middle School.

This year’s Defender Games brought together cadets from four schools—Nelson County/Bardstown, LaRue County, Marion County, and Bullitt Central—for a day of strength, endurance, and teamwork challenges. Cadets carried boats, completed timed physical fitness events, fought in padded “RedMan” combat training, and tested their mental and emotional toughness.

For many of Bardstown’s middle school cadets, it was their first experience at the Games.

Seventh-grader Preston Bartley, who hopes to join the Air Force one day, was struck by both the intensity and the camaraderie of the event.
“It’s like a competition with JROTC… but there was teamwork behind all of it. And honestly, the food was great too—I had a couple hot dogs, a couple hamburgers, and even some ice cream!”

Eighth-grader Tristan Hunt, who plans to join the Navy, said the Games were about more than competition.
“The Defender Games is a competition we do every year for fallen soldiers. I wanted to represent and honor the fallen. My favorite part was meeting people already in the military—Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard—hearing their stories, and even competing against them in RedMan training.”

Seventh-grader Emma Crume, who aspires to join the Marines or Air Force, was selected to be on the Raider Team, which took on some of the toughest events.
“It was really challenging, but I loved getting to meet new people from different schools. We carried boats, ran a mile and a half, did push-ups and sit-ups, and even deadlifts with heavy sacks. It was hot, and I definitely got sunburned—but it was worth it.”

While the competitions were tough, the day also celebrated teamwork, leadership, and community. Cadets shared meals, connected with service members, and learned what it takes to push themselves beyond their limits.

Bardstown City Schools is proud of its students for representing the district with perseverance and Tiger pride. Events like the Defender Games show how JROTC challenges students not only physically, but also as leaders and teammates—living out the values of service, commitment, and honor.

You can see the Defender Games from a student’s perspective thanks to these photos taken by student photographers.