HAMPSTEAD, NC – The Establishment Ceremony for the Topsail High School Coast Guard JROTC Unit will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the Topsail High School Auditorium.
The event will begin at 9:30am and will include officials from the Coast Guard, Pender County and state.
Earlier this year Topsail High School became the fifth of only six high schools in the nation awarded a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Camden County High School is the only other program in North Carolina and is one of two legacy Coast Guard JROTC units.
“We are honored and privileged to have the Coast Guard JROTC Program at Topsail High School.” said Dr. Larry Obeda, Topsail High School Principal. “As a former Veteran, I am excited for our students and community. We welcome the Coast Guard JROTC Program and look forward to a long and lasting relationship.”
JROTC consists of a three-to-four-year curriculum rich with experiences in and outside of the classroom. Cadets wear a Coast Guard JROTC uniform one day a week and they learn first aid, government, citizenship, ethics, Coast Guard history, seamanship and navigation, among other things. They also can participate in extra-curricular aspects of the program such as drill team, color guard, air rifle team, Raiders (athletic team), and summer leadership camps. Each unit has two maritime science instructors—a retired Coast Guard officer and a retired enlisted member. Cadets must follow grooming standards as set forth in the Cadet Field Manual and they advance through a cadet enlisted/officer ranking system as they demonstrate increased responsibility and leadership.
To participate in JROTC, students must be in grades 9-12, with some exceptions for eighth graders. They must be citizens, nationals of the United States or those lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; be physically fit; maintain acceptable standards of scholastic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation; and maintain acceptable standards of conduct and grooming.