The cadets of the Washington NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) have been recognized as a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the 2024-25 school year by the NJROTC Program Office and the Area Nine Manager. 

The highly regarded distinction is made in recognition of the exceptional achievement of Washington High School’s Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) unit during the 2024-25 school year.

The award is given annually to schools whose NJROTC program ranks in the top 30 percent of the programs in each NJROTC area. This selection is based upon the excellence attained in administration, academic performance, military proficiency, and host school support.

Area Nine is comprised of approximately 50 NJROTC units from Tennessee, Kansas, Oklahoma, Western Texas, New Mexico and Missouri.

“This award shows the dedication and determination of the cadets in the program,” said Senior Chief Nathan Hernandez, WHS Naval Science Instructor. “To earn the award indicates the unit continues to thrive.”

Additionally, Washington NJROTC recently took 13 cadets to leadership camp in Smyrna, Tenn. They spent a week in a "mini boot camp," where they woke up at 4:30 a.m., conducted PT, classes, and a whole lot of marching. 

Three cadets earned their leadership cord that they will wear on the right shoulder of their uniform. The cord is worn by a very select and few cadets. Receiving the leadership cord were Cadet Commander Cayden Banderman, Cadet Master Chief Preston Wood, and Cadet Chief Adam Brinker.