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NJROTC partnership brings cadets to Twin Valley high school; program seeks to grow enrollment
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Summary
Boardroom presentation highlighted the new NJROTC partnership with Owen J. Roberts, student volunteer hours (over 3,200 reported), current enrollment of six Twin Valley students, and a goal of 50 students to establish a local unit.
The board meeting included a presentation on the new Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) partnership with Owen J. Roberts High School and participation by Twin Valley cadets.
Senior Chief Kevin McCullough (speaker 3), the NJROTC instructor, told the board that Twin Valley is in its first year of partnership with Owen J. Roberts and that the program currently includes six Twin Valley students with 15 requests for next year. He said a recent congressional change set the program requirement for an on‑site unit at 50 interested students; reaching that threshold would allow Twin Valley to host its own NJROTC unit instead of relying on a cross‑town arrangement.
"So for you to start up your own program here at your school, you would just need 50 interested students," Senior Chief McCullough said, adding that finding an instructor is among the bigger practical hurdles to launching an in‑house program. He also described extracurricular activities and volunteer service: the unit logged more than 3,200 volunteer hours this year across parades, community events, and service projects.
Cadets described competition activities, trips to the USS New Jersey and Gettysburg, participation in academic and drill competitions, and leadership and community events such as a military ball and color guard performances. Students and staff said the program emphasizes citizenship development rather than recruitment for military service: "5% of our cadets nationwide join the military," McCullough said, framing the curriculum as leadership and civic education.
Board members discussed practical scheduling and logistics — whether cadets could present colors at graduation or on opening day, and how the one‑day‑a‑week schedule fits the district's block scheduling. Presenters said existing logistics allow students to miss only one block under the current arrangement, and the team offered to return early in the next school year for additional planning and to support recruiting and instructor logistics.
The board expressed support for recognition opportunities and asked administration to coordinate future visits and potential color‑guard appearances at school events.
