Individual Awards

1. Meritorious Achievement: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any NJROTC cadet who distinguishes himself only by outstanding meritorious achievement or performance of a meritorious act. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.

2. Distinguished Unit: Awarded YEARLY to cadets in good standing who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned the Distinguished Unit status. Awarded to only those units that demonstrated the very highest levels of performance.

3. Distinguished Cadet: Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest combined average for overall scholastic standing and aptitude in NJROTC unit activities (includes academics, homework, physical fitness, community service, drill, etc.).

4. Honor Cadet: Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest overall academic achievement (GPA) in school, including the naval science courses.

5. Cadet Achievement: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who distinguishes himself by outstanding achievement or sustained superior performance. The cadet must exhibit exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the program, as well as overall excellence in all facets of NJROTC. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.

6. Unit Achievement: Awarded YEARLY to cadets in good standing who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned the Unit Achievement status as determined by the Area Manager. Awarded only to those units that demonstrated exceptional performance but did not qualify for Distinguished Unit Status.

7. Aptitude Award: Awarded YEARLY to those outstanding cadets who demonstrate an exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the NJROTC program.

8. Naval Science 4 Outstanding Cadet(s): Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 4 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

9.  Naval Science 3 Outstanding Cadet(s): Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 3 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

10.  Naval Science 2 Outstanding Cadet(s): Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 2 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

11.  Naval Science 1 Outstanding Cadet(s): Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 1 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

12. . Exemplary Conduct: Awarded YEARLY to each cadet who demonstrates exemplary conduct for the school year.

13. . Exemplary Personal Appearance: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each cadet who displays exemplary personal appearance and has worn his uniform on all occasions required.

14. Physical Fitness: Awarded, TWICE A YEAR, to any cadet who meets or exceeds the basic physical fitness exercise requirements as outlined in chapter 5 of the Cadet Reference Manual (CRM).

15. Participation: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has participated in three events other than routine unit activities.

16. Unit Service: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the unit as determined by the SNSI.

17. Community Service: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who distinguishes himself by dedicated and outstanding service to the community. Ten hours of service within the unit is required. 

18. Academic Team Award: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who is a member in good standing of the academic team and has participated in three or more academic competitions

19.  Drill Team: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a drill team in good standing who has entered competition or performed at three or more official functions.

20. Color Guard: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a color guard in good standing who has entered competition or performed at three or more official functions.  

21. STEM Team  : Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each Cadet the competes in any S.T.E.M. related event or competition to include but not limited to Drone, Sea Perch, Cyber, Robotics. or Rocketry.

22. Marksmanship: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any competition.

23. Orienteering: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any organized orienteering competition or who meets the orienteering qualification standards.

24.  Inter-Service Competition: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any inter-service national level competition, such as CyberPatriot, JLAB, etc.; or for any SeaPerch Competition, regardless of service sponsorship. This ribbon cannot be awarded in addition to, or in lieu of, another team-specific ribbon. For example, it cannot be awarded for competing in a local, area, or postal multi-service drill, academic, marksmanship, or orienteering meet. 

25. Recruiting: Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to a cadet who is instrumental in the enrolment of two students in the NJROTC program.

26.  Leadership Training: Awarded to any cadet upon satisfactory completion of Basic Leadership Training, Leadership Academy, or similar training as approved by the Area Manager.

27. Sea Cruise: Awarded to any cadet upon completion of an at-sea cruise (vessel must cast off lines and be underway). 

28. Community Emergency Response Training (C.E.R.T)  : Awarded to any cadet upon completion of any Community Emergency Response Training hosted by the Department of Homeland Security and Local Fire Department. 

Lamps - Worn on the Honor Cadet Ribbon by each Cadet that also achieved a grade of "A" in their respective Naval Science Class as designated: NS1 - Bronze; NS2- Silver, NS3 and 4- Gold. Also used to denote level of achievement for Physical Fitness Ribbon: Bronze- score of 6, 7 or 8; Silver- Score of 9 or 10; Gold- Score of 11 or 12.

Gold Anchor - Worn on the appropriate team ribbon to designate Team Commander. Also worn on the Unit Service Ribbon by the Cadet Commanding Officer.

Stars - Indicate subsequent awards. 1 Bronze- Second Award; 2 Bronze- Third Award; 1 Silver- Fourth Award; 2 Silver- Fifth Award; 1 Gold- Sixth Award; 2 Gold- Seventh Award;    3 Gold- Eighth Award.

Drone Pilot Wings - Awarded to any Cadet that is in good standing and a member of the Drone Team and has meet the requirements for the FAA Drone Pilot License Part 107.