I would like to welcome all of you to East Hall High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program.

For our new cadets this will be a brand new experience for your son or daughter. Even though we do some of the traditional classroom practices (lectures, discussions, tests, etc.), much of what we do will be very different. Cadets will learn military drill, participate in various ceremonies and learn customs & courtesies. We teach these classes not because we expect our cadets to join the armed forces, we teach them because it teaches self-discipline, self-control, teamwork and a sense of responsibility. As they gain more knowledge and experience, we give them additional opportunities to exercise increased levels of leadership and responsibility. 

The biggest misconception most people have of the program is that the instructors are active duty servicemember's trying to recruit students for the military. This is simply not true. We are retired Veterans  NOT recruiters who use our many years of experience to motivate and educate young students to reach their highest potential while developing character, confidence and self-discipline along the way. 

Uniform Requirements: 

Uniforms are issued to every cadet free of charge. We issue them the second and third week of school. Uniforms are dry cleaned prior to issue and tailored to fit your cadet at no cost to you. We only ask that every cadet take extreme care of the uniforms and maintain them properly. The Navy considers the uniform an extremely important part of the NJROTC program. 

Haircut/Grooming Requirements:

Cadets must comply with NJROTC grooming standards in order to pass the course. The requirements can also be found on the NJROTC website under “Cadet Resources”. Cadets can review these instructions anytime during the school year. We will explain and demonstrate to all cadets the proper wear and care of the NJROTC uniform.  

Drill (Marching) and Physical Fitness Training Participation:     

We conduct physical training (PT) twice a week; cadets will be required to wear our unit PT uniform which will be issued to them free of charge. Cadets must provide their own white socks and running shoes, (No Basketball shoes, boots, flip-flops or crocs). If your cadet is unable to participate due to illness or physical impairment you must provide a note to the instructor explaining why. We also do military drill outside every week. Cadets must dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes, (No flip-flops or sandals). Cadets must also be aware of weather changes.

Cadets will receive a binder containing Health Screening Forms, Physical Forms, and Parent Permission Packages along with other paperwork during the first week of school so please read, sign, and date, answer any questions on the forms and get them back to us quickly. Students will be required to get a sports physical prior to starting physical fitness training. 

Your support is vital to our success. We fully understand that communication breakdown happens between cadets, the school and home, that is why I am always available to answer your questions.

Sincerely,

N. P. BOURDEAU

Lieutenant USCG (Ret)

Senior Naval Science Instructor