Linden High School, the 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐬 (𝐍𝐉𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐂) 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, marked a powerful and emotional leadership transition on June 9 as 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫, relieving Cadet Captain Josue Carpio during the program’s 𝟑𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲.
With 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, Linden NJROTC holds the distinction of being the largest unit of its kind globally—a reflection of its deeply rooted tradition of excellence, discipline, and student leadership.
But the night’s most emotional moment came not with the passing of the guide-on flag—but with a surprise tribute to 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐳, who is 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝟐𝟒-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲.
As Chief Velez prepared to take center stage after a number of heartwarming tributes, the towering black curtains of the auditorium suddenly parted to reveal 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐬—graduates from over a decade of NJROTC classes who returned to honor the man who had helped shape their lives. The audience rose in a standing ovation as Velez climbed onto the stage to hug and chat with the tear-eyed former cadets who packed the stage—a powerful display of gratitude and love.
𝐀 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Change of Command itself was conducted with the time-honored naval precision that has defined the NJROTC program since its inception. Outgoing Cadet Captain Carpio delivered his farewell remarks and read his official relief letter, formally relinquishing command. Cadet Daniel Quiceno then stepped forward to read his appointment letter, followed by the traditional exchange of command:
“I relieve you,” said Quiceno.
“I stand relieved,” replied Carpio.
Commander Boyd Decker, Senior Naval Science Instructor, affirmed the change and offered congratulations. The ceremonial guide-on flag was passed from Carpio to Quiceno, completing the official transition of leadership.
Quiceno addressed the audience—which included cadets, families, school officials, local veterans, and elected leaders such as Superintendent Dr. Atiya Perkins, Board President Dr. Marlene Berghammer, Principal Charles Koonce, and City Council President Michele Yamakaitis.