NJROTCArea12

13 JULY 2010

To:       All SNSIs, NSIs and NJROTC Cadets

From:  CDR Rustie Hibbard, NJROTC AREA 12 Manager

 Subj:   WELCOME BACK!

1.  I hope everyone’s summer was as enjoyable as mine and you were able to re-energized to focus on a great 2010-2011 school year.  I challenge each of you to focus on making yourselves and your units better.  Quickly developing the teamwork/communication skills and methods you need to be successful will make your jobs easier and lower your frustration levels.   Use every communication means available to you (Plan of the Week, Bulletin Boards, Message Boxes, Unit Websites (WEBS.com), staff meetings and unit newsletters) to get the word out to all cadets.   The more your cadets understand your unit’s goals and plans, the easier it will be to accomplish them.  For the Leadership Academy graduates, apply the lessons you learned and use the leadership and planning tools to make your unit more successful.  They will also make your job easier.  

  2.  I am pleased to start my third year back as the Area 12 Manager and am looking forward to a fun, competitive and educational NJROTC school year.   Your time in the unit should be enjoyable.   If you are not having fun, you are doing something wrong.   The more active you are within the program and high school, the more fun you will have.  You have the opportunity to determine the level of unit involvement that suits you.  However, you must earn the right to have fun through good grades and leadership performance.  Do not make NJROTC the only thing in your life (you should work to make yourself well rounded for scholarships), but don’t just sit on the sidelines either.  Find a balance that allows you to enjoy your time in NJROTC as well as the entire high school experience.  The NJROTC program has much to offer you.  There are summer exchange programs with the US Air Force Honors Camp, Leadership Academy, Cadre, Sail Academy, Cadre, STEM camps at Embry Riddle and University of San Diego and numerous scholarship opportunities.   If you are interested in these programs, make sure your instructors know and start actively working toward selection. 

 3.  Solid NJROTC units are those that are involved in the community and bring pride to their school and unit, compete in Area 12 events, build teamwork/unit camaraderie, conduct educational/fun field trips to broaden the cadets’ knowledge and experiences.   Your overall goal should be to prepare yourself for life after high school.  My number one goal for every unit is for each cadet to graduate with the option to attend college or pursue their chosen career path.  Drill meets and field trips are fun, but you must earn the opportunity to participate through your academics.  There are no drill scholarships, academics come first.  So enjoy yourselves, but maintain focus on your future.  Education is the key to success. 

 4.  Last, A special THANK YOU to all instructors and cadets that participated or mentored in Leadership Academy, Sail Academy, Embry Riddle/USD Stem Camps, NIOT, Air Force Honors program, Basic Leadership Training and/or Freshman Orientation.   Without your dedication and commitment, these programs would not be possible.  As always, I truly enjoyed my time at Leadership Academy this year, interacting with the cadets and cadre.  I look forward to seeing the LA graduates throughout the year and to see how well you apply the leadership, planning and management lessons and techniques you learned.   Ultimately, the goal for NJROTC is to infuse the Navy Core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment into your everyday life, and enable you to become a more responsible citizen.   To prepare you to be successful in whatever profession or career path you may chose to pursue.   Good luck on a new and exciting school year!

                                                                         //s//

                                                                        CDR R. L. Hibbard