Linden High Schoolโs Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) marked a signature moment in the programโs history on Monday, Sept. 16, 2025, when ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ผ๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฌ ๐. ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐ง๐๐, ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ข๐๐ฃ๐, visited the school to celebrate the programโs extraordinary growth.
With 614 cadets, Linden now has the largest NJROTC unit in the world, a distinction that reflects the programโs strong leadership, community service, and student engagement.
The day began at 7 AM with a meet-and-greet in the NJROTC classroom, where Mayor Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y Perkins, Principal Charles Koonce, Board Member Brianna Armstead, and the cadet leadership team welcomed Admiral Pottenburgh and Commander Andrew Hochgraver.
Following the meet-and-greet, cadet leaders delivered a 30-minute briefing showcasing the unitโs structure, recruitment strategies, and extensive community involvement.
โThe brief was fantastic,โ Pottenburgh said. โAs I shared with the cadets, it was impressive as a high school unit, but it would have been just as impressive if they were an actual Navy unit, like a squadron or a ship or a submarine. Those cadets are extremely impressive โ how they carried themselves, how they talked about the advancement process, and how they take care of the local community. Iโm very excited to be at Linden High School.โ
The morning concluded with a high-energy assembly in the high school auditorium, where more than 600 cadets gathered to hear Admiral Pottenburghโs remarks and participate in a lively question-and-answer session about leadership, service, and future career opportunities.
๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ
Superintendent Perkins expressed gratitude to Admiral Pottenburgh, NJROTC instructors, veterans, and cadets for their dedication and service.
โIn times when our world feels divided, moments like these unite us,โ Superintendent Perkins said. โAs a Navy wife, I understand the sacrifices that come with protecting our freedom. Today, our cadets stand alongside one of the top admirals in the United States Navy, proving there are no limits to what they can achieve. Continue showing up as the best version of yourselves, because these achievements are worth celebrating.โ