The Nease NJROTC Drill Team delivered an extraordinary performance at the 2026 Navy Nationals, held March 27–28 in Pensacola, Florida, finishing 3rd overall in the nation among the very best programs in the country.

This achievement is even more impressive considering the journey to Nationals began with 636 NJROTC programs, with only 23 elite teams earning a spot to compete. Over the course of the competition, cadets showcased their talents across drill, athletics, and academics, demonstrating the discipline, precision, and determination that define the Nease NJROTC program.

The team’s success was reflected across multiple categories, earning top placements including:

• 3rd Overall
• 2nd in Academics
• 3rd in Athletics
• 3rd in Personnel Inspection
• 2nd in Unarmed Exhibition
• 2nd in the 16x100 Relay
• 2nd in Push-Ups

Individual cadets also stood out with exceptional performances:

• Cadet Collins – 8th in Academics
• Cadet Lewis – 1st (tie) in Curl-Ups; 5th (tie) in Push-Ups
• Cadet Jovel – 6th (tie) in Curl-Ups
• Cadet Hendricks – 3rd in Push-Ups
• Cadet Pitches – 8th in Push-Ups

Behind this success is a season defined by relentless dedication. The Drill Team practices every school day beginning in August, making this a long and demanding season that requires commitment, discipline, and sacrifice from each cadet. Their consistent hard work throughout the year is what made this national-level achievement possible.

Before the competition began, cadets had the unique opportunity to tour the Blue Angels hangar, an experience that added to the excitement and inspiration of the trip.

Preparation for Nationals was made possible thanks to the generous support of Brian Estevez of UF IFAS Escambia 4-H, who provided access to facilities for practice. 

Our instructors went above and beyond to ensure the team was ready. All year, their sacrifices to pour into our cadets make acheivements like this possible. Thank you Warrant, Master Chief, and 1stSgt for believing in our cadets.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the incredible support of our families. From driving the trailer and preparing meals, to helping with uniforms, hair, transportation, and offering constant encouragement, our parents showed up in every way imaginable. Their dedication and support played a vital role in the team’s success.

We are immensely proud of our cadets for their hard work, resilience, and commitment throughout the season. Finishing 3rd in the nation is a testament to their excellence and the strength of the Nease NJROTC program. With such a strong foundation and motivated group of cadets, we are already looking forward to building on this success and returning even stronger next year.

The Nease NJROTC Orienteering Team recently traveled to Gainesville, Florida, to compete in the 2026 NJROTC National Orienteering Championship, held March 14–15 at San Felasco Hammock Preserve. 

Facing two days of challenging terrain and intense competition from top programs across the country, our cadets delivered an outstanding performance, earning a 7th place finish out of 43 teams nationwide. This impressive result highlights the team’s skill, determination, and commitment to excellence.

This competition marks the culmination of an incredible season for the Orienteering Team. Throughout the year, these cadets have demonstrated unwavering dedication, perseverance, and teamwork, qualities that were evident in every step they took on the course.

We are incredibly proud of each team member for their hard work and the way they represented our unit on the national stage.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the parents, family members, and friends who traveled to support the team. Your encouragement and presence made a meaningful difference and continue to inspire our cadets to achieve great things.

Time is running out to secure your spot at the 32nd Annual Nease Navy Ball, taking place on May 2, 2026, at the beautiful Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. This is your final opportunity to join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible achievements of our cadets alongside fellow NJROTC families and supporters.

We will be on campus on April 15 from 9am-9:30am before school and during Excel for cadets who prefer to purchase via check or cash. 

⏳ Ticket sales CLOSE April 17 
We are required to submit a final headcount to the venue, and late purchases cannot be accommodated, so don’t wait!

Ticket Prices (Non-Refundable):

• $55 – Nease Cadets
• $70 – Non-Cadet High School Guests
• $80 – Adult Guests

✨ BUY NOW

We also need volunteers to help for set-up, tear down, and court. If you are available to volunteer, sign up today!

The Navy Ball is open to cadets, families, and friends (high school–aged and older). As a school-sponsored event, alcohol is not permitted.

Don’t miss out on one of the most meaningful and memorable nights of the year. Get your tickets before it’s too late!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25 and get ready for one of the most exciting and impactful events of the year—the 4th Annual Nease NJROTC Car Show! This highly anticipated event is not only a fun-filled day for our community, but also a major fundraiser that directly supports our cadets and program. This event is FREE to spectators! Fundraising comes from car entries and generous community sponsors.

Each year, the Car Show brings together an incredible lineup of vehicles, from classic cars to modern builds, along with families, friends, and supporters who come out to celebrate and give back. Funds raised from this event help provide essential resources for our cadets.

Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for a great way to spend the day, this event has something for everyone, and we need your help to make it the best one yet!

🚘 Have a vehicle to show off?
We encourage you to spread the word! Invite friends, family, and community members who may be interested in entering their vehicles. The more participants we have, the greater the impact we can make for our program.

📍 Event details and registration information can be found on our website. CHECK IT OUT!

🙌 Volunteers Needed!
Events like this don’t happen without the support of our amazing families. We are looking for parent volunteers to help with setup, registration, concessions, and more. If you are able to donate your time, it truly makes a difference for our cadets and helps ensure the success of this important fundraiser.

👉 I want to volunteer!

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there for a great day of cars, community, and cadet pride!

The Nease NJROTC CPO Board is already planning for an incredible 2026–27 school year, and we’re looking for dedicated parents who want to get involved and make a difference!

We have several open board positions, along with team parent and event chair opportunities. Whether you’re interested in serving for the full school year or simply helping with a single event, there’s a role that fits your schedule and talents.

Join us on April 7th at 6:00 PM at Panera Bread in Nocatee to learn more about how you can support our cadets and be part of an amazing team. This is a great opportunity to meet current board members, ask questions, and see how you can contribute to another successful year.

We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Kim Gourd at vp@neasenjrotc.com.

As we wrap up another incredible year, we invite all cadets and their families to come together for a fun, relaxing, and well-deserved celebration at our End of the Year Family Spirit Day!

Join us on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:05 PM as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp take on the Charlotte Knights. This is more than just a baseball game, it’s a chance to celebrate everything our cadets have accomplished this year while enjoying time with friends, family, and the NJROTC community.

We’ve secured a special group rate of just $23.77 per ticket, and we encourage everyone to sit together in our designated section to make the experience even more fun and connected.

Whether you're a long-time NJROTC family or new to the program, this is a perfect opportunity to come together, meet new families ahead of Navy Ball, show your unit pride, and enjoy a great day at the ballpark.

🎟 Get your tickets today and be part of the celebration!
Spots in our section are limited, so don’t wait!

Let’s pack the stands, represent Nease NJROTC, and finish the year with energy, pride, and community spirit. We hope to see you there!

In an effort to provide our cadets with more time to receive updates and decisions from academies and colleges, Military Signing Day has been rescheduled to April 29.

We appreciate your flexibility and encourage everyone to adjust their plans accordingly. Please join us as we celebrate this exciting milestone and recognize the achievements of our outstanding cadets!

Looking for a meaningful way to support our unit while leaving a lasting mark? We invite families, alumni, and supporters to participate in our NJROTC Brick Fundraiser!

Custom 4x8 engraved bricks will be installed as part of a growing border along the pathway from the NJROTC building to the practice drill deck, creating a permanent tribute to those who have supported our program.

Each brick is just $100, and all proceeds go directly back to supporting our cadets and unit activities.

To be included in the next installation, orders must be placed by April 17th.

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor your cadet, commemorate your time in the program, or show your support for Nease NJROTC.

Purchase your brick here:https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/neasenjrotc

Nease NJROTC is proud to celebrate a remarkable achievement by two of our outstanding cadet leaders. Battalion Commander Emma Newman and Battalion Command Master Chief Tyler Labardee have been officially selected for the highly competitive 2025–2026 National Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship.

This prestigious selection is a testament to their unwavering dedication, strong leadership, and commitment to excellence, both within our battalion and beyond. The NROTC Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to serving as future officers in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.

With this selection, Emma and Tyler are now one step closer to activating their Navy Option scholarships in Fall 2026. The scholarship provides substantial financial support, covering tuition and fees or room and board, and offers a direct pathway toward commissioning as naval officers upon completion of their college education.

We are incredibly proud of Cadets Newman and Labardee for representing our battalion at the highest level. The future is bright, and we look forward to watching them continue to excel as they take the next steps in their journey.

Our recent Right-Hand Man Breakfast was a truly special and meaningful event, continuing one of the most valued traditions within our NJROTC program. This invite-only gathering gave our LA Grads the opportunity to recognize younger cadets who have demonstrated exceptional performance, leadership, commitment, and a positive attitude throughout the year.

What makes this recognition even more impactful is that each honoree was selected by their peers, a true reflection of the respect and admiration they’ve earned within the battalion. The morning was filled with pride as these outstanding cadets were celebrated for embodying what it means to be a Nease Cadet.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible parents and families who made this event possible. Your generous donations of breakfast items helped create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for our cadets, and we are especially grateful to those who volunteered their time to help serve and support the event.

Your continued support plays a vital role in making traditions like this possible and meaningful. Thank you for helping us recognize and celebrate the leadership and excellence of our cadets!

The Nease NJROTC Yearbook is a great way to commemorate the year and celebrate the memories made throughout the program. This yearbook is specific to our NJROTC unit and is separate from the regular school yearbook.

We are grateful to Megan Johns for taking on the task of assembling this year’s yearbook. To help make this edition the best possible, we are asking for your support in gathering photos. If you have photos from any NJROTC events or activities this year, please follow the link below to upload and share them. Your contributions will help capture the experiences and achievements of our cadets.

Service

Cadet Social Events

Parents

Veteran's Day

Air Rifle

Brain Brawl

CyberPatriot

Drill

Drone

Orienteering

By now, everyone should have transitioned from Remind to ParentSquare for all communications. Please make sure you have made the move by following these steps:

1. Visit ParentSquare to access or create your account. VISIT HERE

2. Join the Nease NJROTC Battalion Group. JOIN HERE

3. Grant permissions for your cadet to receive messages and updates through ParentSquare. GRANT HERE

Thank you for making the switch and helping keep communication flowing from the unit to parents and cadets!