Contact information: Captain James W. Kelley, Jr. USN (Ret) Work phone #: (301) 840-4749 Cell #: (703) 855-7192

NJROTC Facts:

• NJROTC is a leadership and citizenship course. It is not a recruiting tool of the Armed Services.
• There is no military obligation if enrolled in NJROTC. However, if you complete at least three years you automatically are advanced to an E-3 pay grade upon completion of an armed forces boot camp.
• NJROTC is an elective course, it is recommended that you enroll your freshman year but you can join at the beginning of any year. We will also accept NS1 students at the beginning of the First and Second semesters.
• At the beginning of your first year there is a boot camp. It usually lasts at least one month. The classes consist of military knowledge, physical training, drill, and at least one week with an actual drill instructor where the cadets learn drill and discipline.
• It is required that cadets be able to participate in normal Physical Education to be able to join NJROTC.
• It is mandatory to wear your uniform at least once a week, usually every Wednesday. Uniforms are issued to cadets at no cost and are collected at the end of the year.
• For being active in the unit and performing Flag Duty cadets earn twenty community service hours. Additional hours can be earned for participating in other activities.
• Uniform inspection is every Wednesday. Cadets are graded on their overall appearance, hygiene, uniform care, and military knowledge. These scores go towards your military aptitude grade which is included in your final grade.
• When cadets become 2nd Class Petty Officers they are eligible to apply for staff positions within the unit’s twelve departments.
• The curriculum is as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are academic days. Wednesday is uniform inspection and drill. Friday is physical training day.
  • NS-1 year: Leadership, drill, basic naval information (ships/air planes, submarines, etc.)
  • NS-2 year: Geography, Oceanography, Navigation, leadership
  • NS-3 year: Maneuvering Board, naval history, how to prepare for college, basic life skills, leadership.
  • NS-4 year: NS4s teach NS1s in the classroom and instruct in drill.
• Scholarships are readily available to all NJROTC cadets. Cadets may participate in leadership conferences and events such as Freedom’s Foundation, National Capital Youth Leadership Conference (MOWW), Girl/Boy State, Leadership Academy, and others.
• Since our unit is a Distinguished Unit, the Senior Naval Science Instructor has the authority to nominate three cadets a year to any of the military academies (Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and West Point).
• Cadets are invited to join one or more of the six special teams provided. All teams practice every week, some numerous times a week. All cadets must be eligible and maintain attendance.
  • Drill Team is a performance team that participates in drill meets, outside organizations and ceremonies.
  • Color Guard is the most active of all the teams. They perform at every football and basketball home game, and for outside organizations.
  • The Academic team studies and takes tests which are compared to other units in our area and over the nation.
  • The Rifle Team is the only team which a person must try out for. You must pass a safety test before trying out and you must make one of the ten spots on the team.
  • The Semper Fi team is the physical fitness team. They compete in track events, pushups/curl-ups and other events.
  • Orienteering Team teaches cadets to navigate in a land area using a compass. They compete in several meets.
• Orientation trips are taken yearly to Norfolk, VA... The trip is one week long and is taken during the summer. Cadets learn damage control on the USS Buttercup; participate in tours of ships, submarines and aviation squadrons. Cadets also experience living in a barracks and eating in a galley.
• Some events cadets participate in during the school year include:
  • 8th grade orientation
  • Back to School Night
  • Old Towne Day
  • Rockville Memorial Day Parade
  • Rio Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
  • Graduation
• Ceremonies cadets are invited to throughout the year:
  • Boot Camp Graduation
  • Annual Awards Banquet
  • Annual Military Ball
  • Annual Change of Command
  • Annual GHS Drill Meet