Nease NJROTC held its first quarter Promotion & Awards Ceremony under bright skies and sunshine on Oct. 29, recognizing many of its 271 cadets for outstanding service during the First Quarter.
The most prestigious award given out during the ceremony was the Legion of Valor of the United States of America Bronze Cross presented to cadet Battalion Commander Michaela Heinrich for outstanding leadership. This national award is authorized for only one JROTC cadet out of 4,000 cadets in the program.
Nease, the #1 ranked NJROTC program in the nation for 2014-2015, prides itself on being a cadet run battalion. Although three naval science instructors oversee the program, most functions, including today’s event are organized, run and led by cadets.
“Everything we do here is a mini leadership lab,” said cadet Alpha Company Commander Matthew Moorefield who led his company’s ceremony. “The instructors charge us with organizing the whole event. We make mistakes sometimes, but we’re learning and getting better each time.”
Cadets were promoted based on passing a promotion exam and completing the required community service hours for the quarter with the more senior ranks requiring additional community service.
JROTC formal awards given to cadets included ribbons for outstanding performance in Unit Service, Community Service, Drill Team, Color Guard and Presidential Fitness Exam. Two of the most anticipated awards presented were the NS1 (freshmen) and NSUP (upperclassmen) Sailor of the Quarters. This quarter’s awardees were NS1 Emily Blackford and NS2 Scott Cummings.
