William Floyd NJROTC Shares Insight At Recruitment Visit

MASTIC BEACH, NY — William Floyd High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, or NJROTC, cadets recently reached out to younger students with an eye toward welcoming them aboard.

The cadets took a trip back in time to their former middle schools, William Paca Middle School and William Floyd Middle School, for an official recruiting visit to talk with eighth graders about opportunities and experiences afforded by the program.

The goal was that students who might have an interest in the program could learn directly from the cadets themselves, the district said.

"The visit was particularly special for them as they had the opportunity to catch up with some of their former teachers and administrators, play some music and visit their old classrooms," district officials said in a release.

The four-year NJROTC program is designed to build leadership and citizenship in participating cadets, the district said.

The program utilizes a broad social science academic approach and a practical, guided leadership experience in naval organization and administration of the unit. The curriculum emphasizes the behavioral aspects of leadership as well as the relationship of the seas to American history, world geography, international relations, and economics. Military conduct, appearance, and drill, as well as the wearing of the Navy uniform, are utilized to help teach self-discipline and teamwork concepts, a release said.

While each year of the program is designed to stand independently, there is a continuity of purpose — each year, the course assists in building a basis for more advanced study of the Navy and sea power as it relates to the nation, the district said.

The co-ed program includes extracurricular activities such as drill team, color guard, at-sea cruises in U.S. Navy vessels, visits to naval bases, marching in parades, and more.

Cadets are under no obligation to enlist in a military service as a result of enrollment in NJROTC, district officials said; Naval Science courses may be taken for Regents or local credit and they satisfy State Education Department requirements for a three-year course sequence.

Patch photos courtesy of William Floyd School District.