The cadets of the Washington NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) have been recognized as a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the second consecutive year in 2021-22 by the NJROTC Program Office and the Area Nine Manager.
The highly regarded distinction is made in recognition of the exceptional achievement of Washington High School’s Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) unit during the 2021-22 school year.
The award is given annually to schools whose NJROTC program ranks in the top 30 percent of the programs in each NJROTC area. This selection is based upon the excellence attained in administration, academic performance, military proficiency, and host school support.
Area Nine is comprised of approximately 50 NJROTC units from Tennessee, Kansas, Oklahoma, Western Texas, New Mexico and Missouri.
“This award shows the dedication and determination of the cadets in the program. To earn the award in consecutive years indicates the unit continues to thrive under the leadership of a new cadet staff,” said MSgt Tim Gates, WHS Naval Science Instructor. “Community service plays a significant part in accumulating the points needed to reach this level, as does academics and unit participation. I truly appreciate the cadets' desire for success. It's enlightening to see young men and women aspire to be involved in all the extra-curricular events in which we participate.
“Honor, Courage and Commitment are the Core Values of the Navy/Marine Corps team and it is on full display here in this unit. We are a small unit and unfunded by the Navy, but the cadets do not allow that to hinder their abilities for participation in events. They are eager to earn the money needed to be a competitive unit and to make time to give back to the community that does so much in support of them. It’s an honor to serve as their instructor.”