Coast Guard JROTC

Quarter 2 has been super busy, including several "Firsts" for our growing Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (CGJROTC) / Maritime Science Program at Barnstable High School. Some of these "Firsts" included participation in Town of Chatham Veterans Day event, presenting colors at a hockey game, and initiation of an Archery Program!

Please read on to learn about each of these significant milestones and more.

On November 11, 2025, ten Barnstable High School Coast Guard JROTC cadets and the Senior Maritime Science Instructor (SMSI) participated in the Veterans Day event in the historic Town of Chatham, Massachusetts. The event theme was Honoring the Greatest Generation and Inspiring the Next Generation. The SMSI, CAPT Schultz (USCG Ret.), and unit Company Commander, Cadet Lieutenant Commander Sophia Murphy (12th grade), had the opportunity to be guest speakers and talk about inspiring the next generation and the Coast Guard JROTC program in general and at Barnstable High School. In particular, Cadet LCDR Murphy spoke about what inspired her to enroll in the Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science program (last year and this year), what she enjoys about it and how it's helped her, and her future plans to attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy and major in Emergency Management. She did a fantastic job, receiving accolades from town council members, first responders, veterans, and other event attendees.

On December 31, 2025 (during school’s holiday break), our Color Guard presented colors for a Barnstable High School hockey game (boys varsity) for the very first time! CAPT Schultz and Color Guard Leader (Cadet Chief Petty Officer Maria Astudillo (11th grade)) coordinated with the boys varsity hockey coach, BHS athletic director, and the manager of the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Skating Rink in Hyannis to set up and conduct a rink familiarization visit, purchase new safety mats, and ensure the National Anthem and presentation of colors was properly choreographed. The Color Guard presented colors at another varsity hockey game only three days later on January 3, 2026.

The Color Guard also presented colors for boys and girls varsity basketball games and unified basketball.

Requested by Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 11 (Cape Cod and the Islands), the Color Guard presented colors at Division 11's Change of Watch Ceremony, which formally ushers in new leadership and recognizes outgoing leadership.

Some students / cadets took advantage of a few of the community service opportunities this quarter, including the November 12, 2025 High Schools Showcase at the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School in Harwich where information about Barnstable High School's Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science Program (and other programs and pathways) was shared with students (and families) getting ready to enroll in high school next year.

After school on December 4, 2025, 13 students along with both instructors received and completed the Ambassador Program Volunteer Training from the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) in Hyannis. With this training, we are able to participate in many of the volunteer opportunities managed by CIVOC that support local veterans.

On the evening of Wednesday January 7, 2026, we conducted a presentation about Barnstable High School's Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science program to the School Committee of Barnstable Public Schools. CAPT Schultz, Company Commander (Cadet Lieutenant Commander Sophia Murphy (12th grade)), and Cadet Seaman Apprentice Nolan Paine (10th grade) presented while eight other cadets were in attendance for visibility and support.

Several students / cadets participated in the January 16 visit to the high school by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Pedro Martinez. Two students dressed in different Coast Guard JROTC uniforms were members of the welcoming team with the high school Principal and school district Superintendent, while another student participated in the student roundtable discussion with the Commissioner. CAPT Schultz also participated in the teachers roundtable discussion.

Our series of guest speakers continued this quarter with two phenomenal individuals, both of them Barnstable High School graduates. On November 25, 2025 First Class Cadet Allison Nystrom, currently a senior at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, spoke with everyone about what led her to pursuing a free college education at a military service academy along with the highlights and challenges of academy life.

Then on December 19, 2025, Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Megan Dardia was here talking about her pursuits after high school and the challenges, successes, experiences, and several job assignments she's had in her so far short time in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Our Coast Guard JROTC Academic Team advanced to the second round of testing in the annual USAA JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl. The second virtual test, comprised of 75 timed core curriculum questions (math, science, language arts) and general knowledge questions (financial literacy, college preparations, current events), will be conducted by February 15, 2026. Over 1,200 high school JROTC programs from across the world participate in the Academic Bowl. Teams that advance past the second round to the national finals compete in-person in Washington, DC.

During the week of January 5-8, 2026, the CGJROTC Archery Program at Barnstable High School was initiated. Following completion of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Basic Archery Instructor Certification Course on December 10, 2025, the SMSI and Maritime Science Instructor (CWO Gordon Hart (USCG, Ret.)) conducted initial archery instruction with their students. As archery practice continues, the Coast Guard JROTC unit will look to field a competitive archery team in the future.

Leadership Academies (Summer 2026). Currently, there are three leadership academy opportunities for Coast Guard JROTC cadets to apply for and potentially attend:

- Coast Guard Junior Leadership Academy, June 15-19, 2026 in Yorktown, VA

- National Flight Academy, June 29-July3, 2026 in Pensacola, FL

- Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission, New London, CT

July 5-10, July 12-17, or July 19-24

For more info go to https://uscga.edu/admissions/aim/

Applications for all are usually due by mid-March. Each has associated costs (some paid by the Coast Guard).

The CGJROTC / Maritime Science Program at BHS will continue to grow in school year 2026-27, with a level four Maritime Science (MS-4) course added and 8th graders able to enroll in the MS-1 course. Be sure to check out the 2026-27 BHS Program of Studies when it is released.

Increasing awareness of this unique program at BHS within the school district as well as across Cape Cod is paramount to the future growth and success of our Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science program. Thank you to everyone who continues to provide great support to the program and students.

Come check us out at the 4th Annual Barnstable High School Showcase, where students and families are invited to a fun, engaging, and interactive evening to celebrate all that our Barnstable High School has to offer. Re-scheduled date to be determined.