Cocke County High School's Navy Jr. ROTC is the best in Tennessee. The unit took home that award following a competition in Kansas City, Kansas last weekend.
Now, they will compete to be the best in the nation.
There are 634 units in the US, Spain, Japan, Italy and Guam. Of those, the best will square off in April.
"For us to be from here and be one of the 24, it's just an honor," said Platoon Commander Eric Abrams, a junior.
"We're all together, we're all a big team," said Commanding Officer Kayla Segars, a senior.
Founded nine years ago, 2012 marks the fourth time the program has been invited to nationals.
More important than the competition though is the work the unit does to give back.
"20,000 hours of community service is what we've done here in nine years of existence," said Lt.Col. William Ivory, an adviser for the program.
That work includes helping to clean and repair the high school after an E-F1 tornado damaged the building in April 2011.
"We love to work with other people and help the school out," Segars said.
Segars and Abrams say the program teaches students invaluable life lessons.
"Even if they don't come in our program respectful or they have difficulties and stuff, we help them out a lot," Segars said.
"You get a very good sense of responsibility, leadership. It raises your standards for how you act, how you are in class," Abrams said.
The national competition will be held April 13-14.