Brewster NJROTC Chapter Called One of America’s Finest

The corps of cadets prepares to assemble. Since 2000, the Brewster High School NJROTC (Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) has received Distinguished Unit honors eight times, with the ninth year earning Unit Achievement recognition.

It’s little wonder that Commander Joseph Hankins, a retired career member of the United States Navy, who served around the globe during his years of active duty before handling the administrative oversight of 57 NJROTC programs with 7,500 cadets and more than 100 instructors throughout the northeast, called Brewster’s chapter an “outstanding organization that the entire community should be proud of.”

Hankins officiated over last week’s annual inspection that took place before the corps of cadets and the school district administration, as well as family members and friends.

Hankins said the NJROTC’s charter calls for “building good citizens. We are teaching today’s youth responsibility, teamwork, and discipline— things that they will be able to take with them regardless of what they decide to do following graduation, whether it be in or out of the military.”

JROTC brass stands at attention. Hankins said the NJROTC membership in Brewster was the “best and brightest. I am proud to be your area manager and look forward to many successes in the future.”

BHS Principal Matt Byrnes also congratulated the chapter for its accomplishments: “Education is judged today by the three ‘R’s: rigor, relevance, and relationships. Our NJROTC program at Brewster requires hard work and problem solving as well as being part of a team that creates bonds and many lifetime relationships.”

Brewster Naval Science instructors Commander Harry Earl Waidelich and Instructor Andrew Bond thanked the school’s administration and Board of Education for offering a wonderfully valuable program that the commander said “starts with the right attitude.”

NJROTC members—both boys and girls—salute Old Glory. This year’s NJROTC Commanding Officer is Bryan Salazar. Other cadet company staff include Chief Staff Officer John Ho; Executive Officer Kyle Bond; Command Mast Chief Jason Kaplan; Operations Officer Nicole Merlotto; 1st Lieutenant Ariel Rosero; Drill Team Commander Sarah Verille, 1st Platoon Commander Dave Mitchell; 2nd Platoon Commander Colleen Chapman; 3rd Platoon Commander Jenny Ward; 4th Platoon Commander Jeff Bednarchak; Training Officer M.J. Garrity; Public Affairs Ivan Bates; Athletic Officer Sean Witoshynsky; Supply Officers Sean and Steve Johannessen; Color Guard Commander Justin Maguire; and Administrative Officer Lori Doyle.
- The corps marches with precision.
• BELOW - Commander Harry Earl Waidelich (right) and Commander Joseph Hankins stand side-by-side during the review.
• BELOW - Bottom - NJROTC Commanding Officer Bryan Salazar is proud of his unit. PhOTOS bY ERIC GROSS