NJROTC
Honor. Courage. Commitment.
Celebrating their 36th Anniversary, Riverhead's outstanding NJROTC Unit went through their paces before parents, community members, and administration during the 2009 Annual Review of the Unit. (Also See: #1 at Bethel Drill Meet! and Pass-In-Review Video and #1 OVERALL at Southold Meet / North Rockland Drill Meet).
     
"Riverhead's NJROTC Unit started as a satellite of the Southold NJROTC Unit 36 years ago in 1974," explained Riverhead's commander, Lt. Col. Peter McCarthy, during his comments at the Review. This year's unit commander is C/LCDR Peter Rodriguez. Cadet Rodriguez has attended Area Four's Leadership Academy as a Cadet and as a Cadet Aide. Cadet Rodriguez led a platoon of 40 cadts for two weeks at Newport Naval Base in Rhode Island. He is also the Vice President of the National Honor Society and is one of the leading sprinters on the track team. Cadet Rodriguez also leads the unit's armed drill team. The inspecting Officer was Commander (U.S. Navy Retired) J. W. Hankins, NJROTC Area Manager, Area Four.

Platoon Leaders and a Cadet Achievement Award
Cadet Joseph Szot (the leader of the 1st Platoon) received a citation, which read, "For superior achievement in the performance of duties as participant at one of the 2009 NJROTC Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Summer Seminars. . . Your selection to this seminar is indicative of the high level of accomplishment you have attained within your NJROTC Unit and reflects the tremendous trust and confidence placed in you by your naval science instructors. . . Less than 1% of all NJROTC cadets from throughout the nation were selected to attend one of these rigorous academic seminars . . . ." Ensign Szot also particpated in the Emry Riddle Event this past summer in Daytona Beach, FL. He is the President of Interact, President of the student body, and plays varsity football.

Ensign Matlak (the leader of the 2nd Platoon) is the unit's armory officer. She is also a member of Blue Masques and participates in the high school's literary magazine, Labyrinth.

Ensign Falek (the leader of the 3rd Platoon) is the administration officer. She has competed regionally and nationally on academic postals and has placed numerous times.

The Squad Leaders are Cadets Matlak, Mulvaney, and Gevinsky. The Guideon Bearer is Cadet Riley.

Exemplary Personal Appearance Award
The following cadets received an “Exemplary Personal Appearance Ribbon”: Cadets Harris, Hubbard, Miller, Cook, Weber, Kruzon, Jacobson, Meyer, Ellis, Carpio.
 
“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, a physical fitness test, several drill team competitions 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."

Cadets participate in a variety of activities, such as drill competitions, physical fitness outings, military orientation trips, and social events like 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 cmpetitions. (To view upcoming events, click HERE.) 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. In 2005-2006, Riverhead earned the Distinguished Unit Award for being one of the top 15 out of 54 schools in Area 4. Several of the RHS cadets have attended military academies after graduation.

Community Service

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

Related Links: The 2009 Pass-In-Review Video, The 2008-09 Pass-in-Review, The 2007-08 Pass-In-Review, Riverhead NJROTC, 2005 Pass-In-Review, 2009 Pass-In-Review Movie

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