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NJROTC Honor. Courage. Commitment.

THE 32ND ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE RHS NJROTC

(#0520 RIVERHEAD, New York - December 16, 2005) Celebrating their 32nd Anniversary, Riverhead's outstanding NJROTC Unit went through their paces before parents, community members, and administration during the 2005 Annual Review of the Unit.

“Riverhead's NJROTC Unit started as a satellite of the Southold NJROTC Unit 32 years ago in 1974," explained Cadet Buenten, who introduced each of the events and gave an overview of the program.

“I would like to give a special welcome to the new school principal, an Army 82nd Airborne veteran, Mr. James McCaffrey,” stated Lt. Col. Peter McCarthy, during his comments at the Review. “The cadets have already accomplished quite a bit this year," explained Lt. Col. McCarthy. "There was a summer orientation before school started, a field trip to Shinnecock Coast Guard Station, Color Guards, parades, Basic Leadership Training, SUNY Maritime Drill Meet, A Physical Fitness Test, Air Rifle Competition and community service events. There are a lot of people who come together to make this program work,” he concluded, “and we want to thank the administration for its support, the band for its participation in our program and the parents for being there for us."

The annual review includes a thorough personnel inspection, color guard performance, drill demonstrations, award presentations, pass-in-review and cadet briefings to the area Manager.

Commander Joseph Hankins, Area Manager of Area 4, conducted the inspection and commended the unit on its performance. He noted, “Unfortunately, at many of the inspections I perform there are only the cadets and myself. I commend you as adiministrators, faculty, parents, friends and community members for coming out for this event and for supporting this outstanding unit with your presence and your assistance throughout the year.”

Throughout the year, cadets participate in a variety of activities, such as drill competitions, air rifle, physical fitness outings, military orientation trips, and special events like their annual review at RHS and their military ball. The unit has earned numerous unit and individual citations, awards, and trophies at area and national armed and unarmed drill, academic and athletic competitions. Riverhead High School NJROTC has earned the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) Distinguished High School Unit award for 2001/2002 and 2002/2003. In 2004-05, Riverhead NJROTC once again won the CNET Unit Achievement Award; as well as being named as the most improved unit in the area and 3rd most improved in the nation for school year 2004-2005. Several of the RHS cadets have attended military academies after graduation, but the emphasis of the program is on citizenship and discipline NOT recruitment for the armed services.

The unit promotes leadership development, self-discipline, physical fitness, teamwork and community service. Cadets participated in over 1000 hours of community service last year. They help at community fundraisers, clean up camps and business areas, assist in community dinners and festivals, and act as guides. The cadets march in parades and carry the colors during important school and community ceremonies. They also travel to district elementary schools to teach flag etiquette. During the holiday season, the NJROTC helps the Riverhead Rotary and the Interact Club assemble and distribute 200 holiday food baskets to area residents.