End of Year/ Change of Command Ceremony
On Wednesday evening, May 14, the Granby NJROTC program had our annual End of Year/Change of Command Ceremony, where we awarded cadets for their accomplishments during the school year, awarded bells for their performance during the Comet Crucible events, introduced the new staff members for the 2025-2026 school year, and said our goodbyes to the graduating seniors.
Bell Three beat all of the other bells in the Comet Crucible competitions, and our Cadet of the Year award was given to Cadet Senior Chief Gomez—an NS/2 who has proven himself to be an excellent example of leadership, commitment, and military skill. In only two years in the NJROTC program, he has already been promoted to Senior Chief, which is quite the accomplishment. He was also, until Wednesday, the Senior Enlisted Advisor on staff. He will be missed, but he did have this piece of advice to offer both current and future cadets: “NJROTC is a program that will challenge you but also help you grow. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, ask questions, or get out of your comfort zone. Always do your best, and you will be amazed at how far you can get. This program is more than just a class; it’s a chance to grow not only as a leader but also as a person.”
The end of the year is a bittersweet time for ROTC, as it is for everyone. We’re sad to see our class leaders and friends leave, but we are very excited for what the next year will bring.