On Wednesday, April 17, the Brother Martin Principal, Mr. Ryan Gallagher ’00, Cmdr. Bruce Nolan ‘90, and Chief Petty Officer Terry Necaise presided over the NJROTC 51st Annual Change of Command and Awards Ceremony in the Backyard on the campus of Brother Martin High School. The annual ceremony recognized outstanding cadets for their performance and 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 for Officers and Chief Petty Officers. The ceremony also followed a traditional military formation of gathering troops and presenting cadets to the reviewing officers and guests. Cadets were honored with awards for service from 20 military and community groups. Representatives from military organizations and supporters presented awards to cadets that excelled in leadership, participation, and academics.

AT&T and Entergy Corporation presented 23 students $1,100 scholarships to attend the National Flight Academy in Pensacola.  Please click here for the full list of names for this award. This award started three years ago through the generous donation of Mr. Stephen Camp, Junior, Class of ‘84, to honor the memory of his fallen classmate, Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan.  

The final awards were presented by the Fontan family to Cadet Christian Schneller ‘22 as the 2019 Cadet of the Year. The Fontan Leadership and Courage awards go to underclass cadets that distinguished themselves as leaders in their class through superior academic performance, participation, and leadership.

The ceremony concluded with a Change of Command for all of the leadership positions.  The first-semester Commanding Officer, Cadet Cmdr. Michael Serié ‘19 and the current Commanding Officer, Cadet Lt. Cmdr. William Spedale ‘19 both gave motivational speeches and were presented with their commemorative plaque and a flag flown over the Nation’s Capitol building.

Following Navy Tradition, Cmdr. Nolan ordered the new leaders to “Relieve the Watch.”  Cadet Lt. Cmdr. William Spedale ‘19 relinquished his position to the incoming Commanding Officer Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Eric Gegenheimer ‘20.

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.

Mr. Gallagher spoke to all the cadets about the example they represent “of 50 years of Changes of Command here at Brother Martin and the example to set for the next 50 years.”  Bravo Zulu to the Class of 2019 and congratulations to our new leaders and award recipients!

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List of Awards and Recipients:

• American Legion Military Excellence Medal:  Cadet Darien Alexander ‘19
• American Legion Scholastic Medal: Cadet Eric Gegenheimer ‘20
• American Veterans Rotc Recognition Award:  Cadet Gannon Blackledge ‘19
• Capt. Samuel Nicholas Award from USMC Support Group: Cadet Darius Alexander ‘19
• Order of Daedalian JROTC Achievement Award:  Cadet Eric Gegenheimer ‘20
• Daughters Of 1812 JROTC Medal: Cadet Bryce Pellegrin ‘20
• Daughters Of The American Revolution ROTC Medal: Cadet Justin Conrad ‘19
• Fleet Reserve Association: Cadet Trey Dupre ‘19
• Knights Of Columbus, 4th Degree, NJROTC Patriotic Award: Cadet Brandon Bonvillain ‘19
• Military Officers Association Of America Medal:  Cadet Caleb Giraud ‘20
• Military Order Of Foreign Wars Bronze Medal: Cadet Robert Vale ‘19
• Military Order Of The Purple Heart Award: Cadet Patrick O’Neill ‘20
• Military Order Of World Wars JROTC Award Of Merit: Cadet Ryan Johnson ‘20
• National Sojourners Award: Cadet Nicholas Code ‘20
• Navy League Theodore Roosevelt Youth Medal For NJROTC: Cadet William Baillie ‘19
• Reserve Officers Association Command Master Chief medal: Cadet Darius Alexander ‘19
• Reserve Officers Association Cadet Leadership Medal: Cadet Jude McCaskell ‘20
• Reserve Officers Association First Year Cadet Medal: Cadet Reiss Jackson ‘22
• Scottish Rite Association:  Cadet Paul Monaco ‘20
• Sons Of American Revolution: Cadet Michael Serié ‘19
• SNA Stephen Decatur, Jr. Award, Junior medal: Cadet Michael Cuccia ‘20
• SNA Stephen Decatur, Jr. Award, Freshman ribbon: Cadet Beau Robinson ‘22
• Veterans Of Foreign Wars ROTC Medal:  Cadet William Spedale ‘19
• Patrick Casey Manale ‘82 Outstanding Junior Officer:  Cadet Eric Gegenheimer ‘20
• Patrick Casey Manale ‘82 Outstanding Chief Petty Officer: Cadet Michael Cuccia ‘20
• Petty Officer of the Year: Cadet Christian Schneller ‘22
• Chief Jacques Fontan Leadership and Courage award, Cadet of the Year:  Cadet Christian Schneller ‘22

2019-2020 NJROTC Leaders:

Commanding Officer: Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Eric Gegenheimer ‘20

Executive Officer: Cadet Lt. Bryce Pellegrin ‘20

Command Master Chief: Cadet Master Chief Michael Cuccia ‘20

Administration Officer: Cadet Lt. j.g. Nicholas Code ‘20

Operations Officer: Cadet Lt. Paul Monaco ‘20

Supply Officer: Cadet Lt. j.g. Caleb Giraud ‘20

Training Officer: Cadet Lt. Ryan Johnson ‘20

Public Affairs Officer: Cadet Ens. Timothy Maloz ‘20