Education
JROTC programs at five Gwinnett schools earn national recognition
Collins Hill High School Air Force JROTC Strike Eagles Drill Team was recognized at a school board meeting last year for their state championship win. More recently, five Gwinnett County Public Schools are receiving accolades for their JROTC programs. PHOTO COURTESY OF GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
By Arlinda Smith Broady
Dec 18, 2019The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps programs at five Gwinnett County Public Schools have earned national recognition, according to a press release:
- Collins Hill High School Air Force JROTC is the recipient of the Silver Star Community Service with Excellence Award. This award emphasizes the value of community service and establishes a greater sense of pride within the corps. The honor is presented to cadets in the top 5% of units (approximately 45 units) that have the highest "per cadet average" community service hours. From April 11, 2018, to April 10, 2019, the Collins Hill unit averaged nearly 40 service hours per cadet to earn the award.
- Army JROTC units from Discovery High School and Grayson High School have been awarded the Army Honor Unit with Distinction designation. Army JROTC programs may earn the Honor Unit with Distinction award as the result of their regularly scheduled JROTC Program for Accreditation evaluation. The inspection is conducted by U.S. Army Cadet Command officials who are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The JROTC cadets are evaluated in the following areas: cadet leadership presentations, service learning projects, drill and ceremonies, color guard, and cadet portfolios. JROTC instructors also are inspected for pedagogy, professional development, and community involvement. A score of at least 95% is required to earn the Honor Unit with Distinction and is the highest possible unit achievement.
- Parkview High School's Marine Corps JROTC has been named a Naval Honor School. This is the 11th consecutive year the school's unit has earned this honor. JROTC units are selected by the Area Commander for attaining the highest overall rating during the school year. Subsequently, these units are designated Naval Honor School by the Commanding General Training and Education Command Quantico. This designation is given to 20% of the JROTC units in the nation in recognition of a unit's exemplary performance during the area Commander's inspection. The unit shows exemplary performance in drill competitions, community service, and marksmanship competitions. They must also demonstrate exemplary performance in unit administration, training, supply, facilities, armory management, cadet citizenship, school and community involvement, scholastic achievement, and extra-curricular events according to Training and Education Command guidelines.
- Shiloh High School's Air Force JROTC was one of 81 units selected to receive the 2018-19 Air Force JROTC Outstanding Organization Award. This award recognizes approximately 10% of the Air Force JROTC units that have performed well above and beyond normal expectations. They have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force JROTC citizen development mission for America.