Photo By James Stockman | 220406-N-LY580-1001 ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (April 6, 2022) Benjamin Russell High School...... read more read more
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From Benjamin Russell High School NJROTC Public Affairs
ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – A Benjamin Russell High School (BRHS) freshman and first-year Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) naval science student was recognized as the unit’s cadet of the month, April 6.
BRHS NJROTC Senior Cadet Hanna Smith presented a Cadet of the Month certificate and command coin to Brennen Luke, the son of a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot.
“I am very honored to be presented this award,” said Luke. “At first, I had no real understanding of the program and didn’t take it seriously; however, both instructors pushed me to accomplish more and taught me about citizenship, service and personal responsibility. These are life lessons that I will carry with me forever.”
Luke’s family has a strong tradition of military service, and he plans to become a U.S. Air Force officer and pilot after graduating high school.
“I wanted to join the military since I was a kid because most of the men in my family have served,” said Luke. “I want to continue the years of service that my family had since my great grandfather served in the Army. As I got older, I became interested in aviation because of my dad’s career and I want to follow in his footsteps and become a pilot.”
To earn cadet of the month, students need to excel in all facets of the naval science program, including academics, leadership, mentorship and participation.
“It is an honor to see cadets grow over the course of a school year,” said Cmdr. (ret.) James Stockman, BRHS NJROTC senior naval science instructor. “Brennen started out slow, but he has really matured over the past few months both as a leader and student. I foresee him being a cadet officer within our unit soon.”
Later this year, Luke will compete against the six previously recognized cadets of the month for the unit’s cadet of the year.
NJROTC is a citizenship development program, established in 1964, that instills service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in students in secondary educational institutions. Today, there are more than 600 units at high schools and military academies across the United States including units in Japan and Guam.
Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, oversees the NJROTC program and 98% of all initial accessions training for the Navy, except the officers produced by the U.S. Naval Academy. This includes the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program with more than 60 units at colleges and universities across the country, Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island, and Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes.
For more information about NJROTC, visit www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NJROTC.
For more news about NSTC, visit www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC.
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2022 07:40 |
| Story ID: | 417940 |
| Location: | ALEXANDER CITY, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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