On Thursday, the NJROTC received awards following their annual military inspection, conducted by Area 1 Manager Greg Washington, who is in charge of 26 schools throughout the Northeast.
“The cadets almost had me moving to tears today, to talk about how in between instructors it was just them and they refused to let this program die,” Washington said. “ROTC is doing great things from Georgia to Massachusetts to Maine.”
Last year, Gloucester’s NJROTC program transitioned from the Marines to the Navy, and is now being led by instructor Mark Robinson.
“Since 1885 future leaders have walked the halls of this institution and participated in varying versions of this program from its original location downtown to its current location here next to the Annisquam river,” NJROTC instructor Mark Robinson said during the ceremony. “The history of the ROTC program here at GHS is humbling, and I’m honored to have the privilege of continuing its legacy into the future. The cadets standing before you are the future leaders of our communities and beyond.”
During the ceremony, Robinson recognized the NJROTC members for collectively accruing over 260 hours of community service this year.
Additionally, members of the color guard and platoon leaders showcased their skills, with the platoons led by cadet petty officer 2nd class Angelis Cruz and Chief petty officer Anthony Doucette.
“We had after school practices for this from 14:00-15:00,” Doucette said. “I’m definitely proud of them, they put in effort.”
“We’ve been practicing the routine we did today for the past 3 weeks,” NJROTC member Bianca Oliver said. “We’ve been studying the commanders, the commands, and a lot more.”
Washington also recognized NJROTC members, awarding the Exemplary Personal Appearance Award to four cadets, including Senior Safire Abate and Sophomores Ivanna Serrano, Robert Palazola and Destiny Smith.
