Nease NJROTC held four separate promotion and award ceremonies spanning two days recognizing the cadet corps for exceptional performance during the first quarter.
Of the 211-cadet battalion, 86 cadets earned promotions for successfully passing a rigorous promotion exam as well as meeting conduct, fitness and performance requirements. Additionally, cadets received more than 445 individual awards for exceptional achievement in the areas of community service, school service, physical fitness and participation on one or more of the program’s competitive teams.
Cadet company commanders directed formal military ceremonies during their respective class periods. As part of their hands-on leadership training, cadets organized, planned and executed the entire ceremonies.
“Attending (Area-12) Leadership Academy last summer helped me prepare for moments like this,” said Delta Company Commander Emmelie Neff. “Sitting in a classroom and learning how to put together a major ceremony on paper is one thing, but actually leading one in front of the parents, military recruiters and school administrators was both nerve-racking and exhilarating.”
In addition to Neff, company commanders Daniel Mahoney, John Alves and Anthony Tucker led their cadets in ceremonies with all of the formal customs and courtesies seen in active-duty events.
Proud parents pinned the new ranks on their cadets. Local recruiters from the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps presented many of the awards.
“Nease NJROTC is a living, breathing leadership lab,” said senior naval science instructor Captain Scott LaRochelle. “Cadet leaders organized these ceremonies demonstrating the same leadership skillsets that junior officers in the fleet possess.”
The most prestigious awards presented during the day were the Sailors of the Quarter awards – given to the top performers from the past quarter. Cadets Ruhi Shanbhag and Theresa Thomas received these esteemed awards.
Nease NJROTC has been recognized as the No. 1 NJROTC unit in Area-12 (northern Florida and state of Georgia) for four consecutive years and was the No. 2 Most Outstanding Unit in the Nation this past year.
