Shelton High School once again has an NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps). Three years ago, the program was changed to an NNDCC (Navy National Defense Cadet Corps) due to what at the time was considered lack of participants. That quickly changed. The number of participants increased and has continued at a level necessary to satisfy the Secretary of the Navy. The following is a news release:
It is official, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, and effective with the 2016 school year – Shelton NJROTC is back!
NJROTC was established at Shelton High School in 1979. In November, 2011, the Shelton School District was notified their NJROTC would be disestablished in June, 2013 due to low enrollment. Supporters of this program began their efforts to keep this program at Shelton High School. The Shelton School District continued this program as a Navy National Defense Cadet Corps for three school years while efforts continued to reinstate the Navy funding.
Commander John Romann has been hired as the senior naval science instructor and Sgt. Major Dan Hernandez will continue as the naval science instructor. Commander Romann brings years of experience in the NJROTC program to Shelton.
NJROTC Booster Club representative, Helen Thomson, adds: “Strong community support helped achieve this goal and continued support is vital to the future of this unit. I encourage everyone to stay involved, keep talking about this program and encourage enrollment. Getting our funding back is just one step in this process. Keeping our funding is dependent upon growing this unit and keeping it strong.”
A celebration is planned for September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the PUD 3 auditorium to thank supporters and kick off the 38th school year as an NJROTC once again.