Nease NJROTC, the number one program in Area 12 and number one unit in the nation, restocked its high-performing cadet leadership ranks, successfully graduating nine cadets at the Area 12 NJROTC Leadership Academy in Milledgeville, Georgia, on June 18-25.
More than 200 high-performing cadets from Area 12’s 60 NJROTC high school programs (northern Florida and state of Georgia) participated in the training. The top Navy, and Marine Corps JROTC naval science instructors from northern Florida and state of Georgia directed the training, which covered leadership, precision drill, academics and physical fitness.
This year’s attendees included rising juniors Amber Fields, Hunter Jones, Gabriel Mitchell, Rylie Larkin, Diego Molina, Andrew Padgett, Joseph Stodel, Hailey Pitches and McKenzie Cherry. Cadet Nicholas Gallego and Cadet Lauren Villarreal served as cadre during the week, assisting in the mentoring and training of the cadets. One of Nease’s naval science instructors, Gunnery Sergeant Durwin D. Hanson worked as an instructor for the program.
“Epic,” said Fields. “I loved it, made great friends from other schools and learned so much about leadership at the same time.”
Cadets received individual commendations for exceptional performance during the training, including Fields and Pitches as the number one female athletes. Larkin was number two in academics with an average of 99.167. In addition, Larkin was number three in athletics.
“Full speed ahead,” said Stodel. “From reveille at 5 a.m. until taps at 10 p.m., we were nonstop learning, drill, exercising and developing leadership traits. It was phenomenal. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity.”
