Naval Instructors

Captain Edward Gantt
Senior Naval Science Instructor 

Chief S. Wilkerson
Naval Science Instructor

Student Office Positions

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Operations Officer

About The Program

      NJROTC is a jointly sponsored Navy and secondary school citizenship and leadership program for students in grades 9 through 12.  It is an education program and the cadets, as they are called, are under no Navy military obligation. The program is designed to instill self-discipline, self-confidence and leadership skills to help the cadet successfully meet life’s challenges.   The cadets are provided with uniforms, books, training aids and other types of equipment paid for by the Navy.  NJROTC encourages teamwork with the formation of drill teams, group athletics and other types of extra-curricular activities.  NJROTC cadets take part in ship training cruises, orientation visits, and field trips to various naval activities to enhance their classroom knowledge.

An NJROTC education may be a big assistance for students enlisting in the service or seeking nominations to the Naval Academy or other service academy and in qualifying for a ROTC College scholarship.

The NJROTC program is taught by retired officers and enlisted personnel.

Frederick Douglass NJROTC Unit 
Distinguished Unit 2004-2005 

     This year the Frederick Douglass NJROTC unit is "haze gray and underway" and steaming at flank speed!  The battalion has 160 cadets that are divided into two companies and ten platoons.  The Cadet Commanding Officer Shanna Balhis and Cadet Executive Officer Rashaad Khaalid have assumed command and are leading the unit for this school year. 

     During the summer, the unit was very active.  Over forty cadets participated in leadership camps and an orientation trip that took us to Virginia Beach and the outback of Goshen, VA.  The training was outstanding and the four weeklong training evolution were learning and fun experiences for instructors and cadets. 

     At the conclusion of last school year the unit was recognized as a "Distinguished Unit" by the Navy.  This honor is only awarded to 30% of the units in the country.  This year, one of our goals is to maintain our record of excellence. I believe we are up to the task. 

     Our 70 new Naval Science 1 cadets have received their uniforms and have quickly become part of our Navy Family.  Petty Officer Brooks is busy teaching them about Navy culture and tradition.  "Attention on deck" and "lock your body up" are now part of their vocabulary.  Any day now, they will know the difference between a "head" and a "bulkhead."

     The new year looks bright and the unit has a full slate of activities.  We are busy in and out of the classroom.  Our drill teams are practicing and most of the weekends are booked with drill and athletic competitions.  We have a good group of cadets and look forward to providing them with a structured education. 

Captain James W. Kelley, Jr. USN (ret) Senior Naval Science Instructor 

*Logo above appears on the NJROTC web site.  https://www.njrotc.navy.mil/