On May 2, 2025, the Nease NJROTC unit gathered for the 31st Annual Navy Ball—an evening of celebration, reflection, and time-honored traditions.

The event marks a culmination of the year’s achievements, offering cadets, families, and guests a chance to honor the program’s values and milestones. Cadets played a central role in the evening’s proceedings, organizing and leading key portions of the program, including the presentation of colors, invocation, POW/MIA tribute, ceremonial toasts, cake cutting, royal court presentation, and the sword detail honoring the senior class.

This year’s keynote speaker, Captain Joseph Rodriguez, delivered an inspiring address, sharing wisdom and encouragement with all in attendance. We extend our sincere thanks to Captain Rodriguez for taking the time to support and uplift our unit with his presence and powerful message.

A special thank you also goes to the cadets and parents whose hard work and dedication made this capstone event a memorable success.

As the evening drew to a close, the Navy Ball stood as a testament to the strength, unity, and spirit of the Nease NJROTC community. Through tradition and ceremony, the event honored the past while celebrating the future leaders shaped by the program. With gratitude, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose, the cadets now look ahead—carrying forward the values of honor, courage, and commitment into the next chapter of their journey. 

Thank you to Ken Biggs of Superior Images for capturing the evening. View his work HERE. 

For 21 years, Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny" D.D. Hanson has been a cornerstone of the Nease NJROTC program. The impact he has made and the legacy he leaves behind will be felt by cadets for generations to come.

On May 10, 2025, we had the honor of celebrating Gunny’s retirement with a heartfelt ceremony. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donato served as the master of ceremonies, guiding an event that featured moving tributes from Master Chief Spears, Captain Robert Young, and Captain Scott LaRochelle. The ceremony also included a presentation by the Nease NJROTC color guard, an invocation by Cadet Escoffrey, and a traditional passing of the flag conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Following the formal service, guests were invited to enjoy food and fellowship in celebration of Gunny's remarkable career.

A special thank you to the Nease parents and cadets who generously donated items, decorated, and helped serve food to make the event a success.

We wish Gunny all the best in his next chapter and hope it is as rewarding and impactful as his time at Nease. You will be greatly missed.

Photos from the event can be viewed HERE.

With the announcement of a new instructor and battalion staff, preparations are already in full swing to ensure a successful year ahead for our unit! Many cadets are participating in summer activities and camps, and we’ll be sharing updates on those as they happen.

Important: Required Paperwork for All Cadets
All cadets—both incoming freshmen and returning members—must complete updated paperwork. This year, we’re excited to introduce electronic forms to help streamline communication and reduce delays. Click HERE to fill out your paperwork and HERE to fill out your custody card. Please fill these forms out ASAP and no later than July 15.

Physicals Required
Every cadet must have a current physical on file. These can be completed through your primary care provider, or you can take advantage of Nease’s on-site sports physicals on May 29. Physicals will be held in the Media Center from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for a cost of $20. Members of our Cadet Parent Organization (CPO) will be present to collect forms. Please bring the most current version of the physical form with you. Click HERE for a copy!

Required Shirt
All cadets are required to purchase a unit polo. You can purchase one HERE. The deadline to order is 7/14!

Get Ready to Go!
Once your paperwork and physical are complete, you’ll be well-prepared to start the new school year. Over the summer, stay active and maintain physical fitness to get ready for Basic Cadet Training (BCT) for NS1s and Physical Fitness Tests (PFTs) for returning cadets.

Enjoy your summer—we’re looking forward to another outstanding year!

To ensure a smooth and successful transition for incoming cadets, we want to remind everyone about the mandatory Basic Cadet Training (BCT), scheduled for August 4th through August 8th at Nease High School. This essential training will introduce cadets to core NJROTC principles and lay the foundation for a successful year ahead.

Cadre Information
Many current cadets will serve as cadre for BCT. There will be cadre workdays scheduled prior to training week, and all details will be communicated via the REMIND app. Please stay tuned and respond promptly to notifications.

Uniform Requirement
All cadre and cadets working BCT are required to purchase the designated BCT shirt.
👉 [Purchase the shirt HERE] 

We are excited to welcome the next generation of cadets and see the future of our unit begin their NJROTC journey this August!

On April 30, we proudly celebrated Military Signing Day!

It was a meaningful event filled with inspiring words from college and academy representatives about the prestigious scholarships our cadets have earned, as well as heartfelt reflections from the cadets themselves.

Congratulations to the following cadets on their incredible achievements:

Cadets Eric Drewes and Brandon Gear – appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point

Cadets Dominic Cigliano and Aiden Kennedy – headed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Cadet Austen Escoffrey – appointed to the United States Air Force Academy

Cadet Korol Kolson – headed to Auburn University on an ROTC scholarship

We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in this exciting next chapter!