There were only 14 high schools across the country offering the Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (CGJROTC) / Maritime Science program this year, with Barnstable High School (BHS) the only school in the northeast. As we complete the very first year of the program here, I would like to share some of our achievements and accomplishments. It all began in late August as the 2024 / 2025 school year started and before the official BHS CGJROTC unit establishment ceremony on October 25, 2024. With the mission of "Developing service-minded citizens of character", the CGJROTC program focused on teaching leadership, followership, citizenship, and the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty. Cadets participated in a challenging curriculum that included academics, physical fitness, military drills, color guard, leadership opportunities, and more, all while earning high school credits. They also engaged in community service and had multiple opportunities to interact with Coast Guard and other military service members, as well as visit local Coast Guard units, museum, and maritime academy.
Early on, we formed a color guard with anyone interested in being part of this team. Initially holding practices weekly after school, these cadets readily took to learning about flag and drill rifle maneuvering, marching, and presentation of our nation's colors. Thanks to the members of this dedicated team, the BHS CGJROTC Color Guard performed in 25 events throughout the year, including sports games, student recognition ceremonies, Coast Guard ceremonies, BIS Memorial Day ceremony, BHS graduation, and even a Navy veteran's 105th birthday celebration!
An Academic Team was formed to compete in the annual nationwide USAA Education Foundation JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl. The 5-person team competed in two virtual competitions with over 1,300 other JROTC high school academic teams from all military services. Questions covered language arts, math, science, financial literacy, current events, and college entrance information.
Four field trips were conducted. The first field trip occurred on December 9, 2024 at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England in Woods Hole, MA where we toured the facility, the Sector's Command Center, Station Woods Hole, and Aids to Navigation Team Woods Hole. Students were able to get on board several different types of Coast Guard boats as well as see how the Command Center manages a search and rescue incident. Other field trips included Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (both in Buzzards Bay, MA), and the Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable. At the air station, students were able to speak with pilots and rescue swimmers and tour helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Mass Maritime Academy hosted a full campus tour including the training ship NSMV PATRIOT STATE, experience ship driving in the ship's bridge simulator, and manage a search and rescue exercise in the emergency operations training center.
CGJROTC cadets earned various awards throughout the year recognizing individual and team achievements. Our first Awards Ceremony was held on the evening of February 26, 2025 with 47 awards presented! Awards included unit service, community service, color guard service, academics, exemplary personal appearance, physical fitness, achievement and more, as well as "Plank Owner" certificates. Families, school and district staff, local Coast Guard leaders, school committee, and other community leaders attended. Additional awards were presented at Senior Recognition Night, Junior Awards Assembly, and our class senior farewell / end-of-year gathering.
A fond farewell to our seven seniors that graduated on June 7th. The rest of the class and I wish you all the best on your post-high school endeavors.
Future outlook for school year 2025 / 2026 looks bright as we continue to grow this program at BHS. Three levels of the Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science course are available now, with students currently enrolled for next year doubling from this year. Current CGJROTC activities such as color guard, academic team, and physical fitness will continue, while developing a drill team and Raiders team (physical fitness, first aid, knots, orienteering, obstacle course) for competition with nearby high school JROTCs will also be a focus. Increasing awareness of this unique opportunity at BHS within the school district as well as across the Cape is paramount to the future growth and success of our Coast Guard JROTC / Maritime Science program, as is community support.
Finally, thank you to everyone that supported the program this year. There are so many to thank, but you know who you are... Thank you!