December 11, 2006

A Message About N.J.R.O.T.C.

Dear Parents:

As principal of Manchester High School WEST, I would invite your attention to a unique program that is offered to our student body.

Until recently, Manchester High School WEST has been the only school in New Hampshire to offer the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program.   This program is an accredited, four-year course of study in Naval Science.   In the Naval Science curriculum, your son or daughter will study a wide range of subjects which include history, geography, navigation, astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, and naval engineering.   In addition to the academic study, the cadets are taught responsibility, leadership, citizenship, self-discipline, poise, self-confidence, and respect for others.   Currently, there are 148 students in the program, and over 44 % of the cadets were on Honor Roll the first quarter of this school year.

Though the intent of NJROTC is not to recruit for the military, as NJROTC cadets, students are afforded a greater opportunity to apply for entrance into the military academies and into college ROTC programs.   Each of these programs leads to a college degree and a commission as an officer in the respective service.  

For five of the last six years the unit received the Distinguished Unit Award with Honors for exceptional academic performance from the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) signifying them as one of the top NJROTC units in the nation.

Your son or daughter, while enrolled as an NJROTC cadet, is not a member of the armed forces of the United States, nor is there any obligation for future service in any branch of the military.   All uniforms, textbooks and related materials are provided at no cost.

Enrollment in the WEST High School NJROTC unit is available to all high school students in the Manchester School District.   Parents of students not residing within the WEST High School boundary are asked to write a letter to Principal Janice E. Thompson requesting permission to attend WEST for the purpose of enrolling in the NJROTC program. The principal will then forward the request to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for final approval.   For further information, you may call Commander Ed Hafner at 624-6398 or a guidance counselor at 624-6384.

Sincerely,

Janice E. Thompson

Principal