Last Wednesday, Brother Martin Principal, Mr. Ryan Gallagher ‘00, Chief Warrant Officer Michael Johnson, and Senior Chief Petty Officer Romico Barnes presided over the NJROTC 58th Annual Change of Command and Awards Ceremony in the Robert M. Conlin Gymnasium on the campus of Brother Martin High School. The annual ceremony recognized outstanding cadets for their dedication to the Brother Martin NJROTC program this year. The ceremony started with an invitation for family, friends, and faculty to “pin on” the new ranks of Officers and Chief Petty Officers. The ceremony also followed a traditional military formation, with troops gathering and cadets being presented to the reviewing officers and guests. Cadets were honored with awards for service from 18 military and community groups. Representatives from military organizations and supporters presented awards to cadets who excelled in leadership, participation, and academics.

The service awards started with the presentation of three scholarships from American Legion Post 307 for $2,500 each to current juniors returning to NJROTC next year. Cadets Eli W. Schexnayder ‘27,  Ahmaad P. Karim ‘27, and Charles J. Ruiz ‘27 earned the William Detweiler Memorial Scholarship for displaying the highest qualities of leadership, character, scholastic achievement, service in school and community, citizenship, patriotic values, and mentoring younger students. 

The final award was presented on behalf of the Fontan family to Cadet Austin Sciacca ‘30 as the Cadet of the Year. The Fontan Leadership and Courage award goes to the underclass cadet who distinguished himself as a leader amongst first-year cadets through superior academic performance, participation, and leadership. His academic excellence put him in the lead and exemplified the ideals of the NJROTC and Brother Martin.

The ceremony concluded with a Change of Command for all of the leadership positions. Mr. Gallagher and Chief Warrant Officer Johnson presented a commemorative plaque and a U.S. flag flown during his command to the outgoing Commanding Officer, Cadet LCDR. Reece Bruchi ‘26. 

Following Navy Tradition, CWO4 Johnson ordered the new leaders to “Relieve the Watch.” Cadet LCDR Reece Bruchi ‘26 then relinquished his position to the incoming Commanding Officer, Cadet LCDR Eli Schexnayder ‘27. 

The seniors were then called forward with their parents and supporters to receive the Mr. John Parent Award, recognizing the dedication and assistance of the senior parents throughout their sons’ time in the Brother Martin NJROTC.

• American Legion Military Excellence Medal: Cadet LTJG Roy O. Taylor ‘28
• American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal: Cadet LTJG Ried J. Goertz ‘28
• Order of Daedalian JROTC Achievement Award: Cadet LTJG Ried J. Goertz ‘28
• Daughters of Founders and Patriots: Cadet LCDR William E. Peoples II '26 
• Daughters of 1812 Medal: Cadet LTJG Ryan A. Boudreaux '26
• Daughters of Colonial Wars: Cadet SA Jared R. Mechlin '30
• Daughters of The American Revolution ROTC Medal: Cadet LTJG Adam M. Delaune
• Fleet Reserve Association: Cadet LTJG Jonas A. Zelaya ‘27 
• Military Order of the Purple Heart Award: Cadet ENS Michael A. Trimber ‘29 
• Military Order of the World Wars JROTC Award of Merit: Cadet ENS Hale R. Bouysou '28
• Military Officers Association JROTC Award:  Cadet LT Ahmaad P. Karim ‘27 
• Surface Navy Association JROTC Ribbon:  Cadet PO2 Austen A. Sciacca '30
• Surface Navy Association Stephen Decatur Award:  Cadet LCDR Eli W. Schexnayder ‘27
• Veterans of Foreign Wars:  Cadet LTJG Jackson B. Whitemore '26
• Navy League Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal For NJROTC: Cadet ENS Michael J. Thompson ‘29
• Sons of the American Revolution: Cadet ENS Peyton J. Merritt '26
• Veterans of Foreign Wars JROTC Medal: Cadet LCDR Graham P. Jacobson '26
• Reserve Officers Association Cadet Leadership Medal: Cadet SN Mingyao Zhu '30
• National Sojourners Award: Cadet LTJG Matthew Silva ‘28  
• Patrick Casey Manale ‘82 Outstanding Junior Officer: Cadet PO2 Robert W. Holland '29
• Patrick Casey Manale ‘82 Outstanding Senior Enlisted: Cadet LT Cody J. Dalferes '26
• Platoon of the Year: 3rd Platoon, commanded by Cadet ENS Roy O. Taylor ‘28  
• Chief Jacques Fontan Leadership and Courage Award, Cadet of the Year: Cadet PO2 Austen A. Sciacca '30

Congratulations to our 2026-2027 Navy Junior ROTC Leaders:

• Commanding Officer: Cadet LCDR Eli W. Schexnayder ‘27
• Executive Officer: Cadet LT Ahmaad P. Karim ‘27
• Command Master Chief: Cadet Master Chief Charles J. Ruiz ‘27
• Administrative Officer: Cadet LTJG Reid J. Goertz  ‘28
• Operations Officer: Cadet LTJG Roy O. Taylor ‘28
• Supply Officer: Cadet LTJG  Jonas A. Zelaya ‘27
• Training Officer: Cadet LTJG Matthew Silva ‘28
• Public Affairs Officer: Cadet Ensign Jacob M. Parta, Jr. ‘28
  Platoon Commanders: Cadet ENS Michael J. Thompson ‘29, Cadet ENS Michael A. Trimber ‘29, Cadet ENS Athens A. Diaz ‘29, and Cadet ENS Carmelo Schwenker ‘29.