Military Scholars Youth Development Services

Kannapolis, NC

Military Scholars Youth Development Services (MSYDS) is a North Carolina nonprofit that organizes Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) high school drill competitions. Marcus Bryant, founder and CEO, launched the organization to support economically disadvantaged teens and help them access necessary health, social and mental health resources.

Bryant served in the Virginia Army National Guard and also participated in Junior ROTC programs. For years he was a passionate volunteer and supporter of drill competitions, and he officially established his own nonprofit in 2020.

MSYDS runs three annual events open to Junior ROTC students from across the country: the Hampton Roads Drill Championship in Newport News, Virginia; and the Queen City Drill Classic and North Carolina JROTC State Drill Championship, both in Charlotte, North Carolina. High school teams compete in four disciplines of drill: regulation, exhibition, color guard and inspection.

More than a competition

Through its events, the organization is dedicated to encouraging, inspiring and motivating young people to be social, live healthy and thrive academically. Each event includes life skills seminars on a range of topics, from safe and healthy habits to basic financial literacy. “While students are drilling and competing, they also have the opportunity to go over and talk to counselors about those different topics,” Bryant said. Recruiters from the U.S. Air Force®, Army®, Marines® and Navy® attend the events and work with the students.

Nonprofit shirts make a difference

A one by one grant provided polo shirts for Bryant and his team, which includes a board of directors, several associates and a handful of volunteers. Bryant said the branded polos helped give credibility to the organization.

“I smile every day when I see it because it’s a step up for us,” he said. “Our clients, our customers, our fans, our followers—everybody can identify us now.” The Military Scholars Youth Development Services team felt that lift too. “It raises everybody’s spirits,” Bryant said.

For more information about Military Scholars Youth Development Services, please visit https://www.msyds.org/ opens in new window