𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
𝑨𝒕 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝑺𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍, 𝑵𝑱𝑹𝑶𝑻𝑪 𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒂 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOL, NJ -- Before a packed gymnasium of families, military leaders, and community officials, more than 550 Linden High School NJROTC cadets, the largest unit in the world, assembled Thursday (March 5) for their annual military inspection, a ceremony that highlighted a year of discipline and leadership while honoring 10 graduating seniors who have committed to serve in the United States Armed Forces.
The event marked the ceremonial phase of the 2026 Annual Area Manager’s Inspection (AMI), a comprehensive evaluation and celebration of the Linden High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program.
Serving as inspecting officer was Commander Eric Humphreys, NJROTC Area 2 Manager and United States Navy (Ret.), who joined a team of military representatives to observe the cadets during a daylong showcase of precision, professionalism, and teamwork.
Among those attending were Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, Linden High School Principal Charles Koonce, Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, Police Chief David Hart, and Fire Chief William M. Hasko Jr., along with Board of Education President Malaysia Thomas and board members Craig Halloran and Phil Campo. They were joined by district administrators including Dr. Kayla Lott, director of human resources, and Business Administrator John Serapiglia, who came to recognize the accomplishments of the cadets and the impact of the program.
For Commander Boyd C. Decker, USN (Ret.), the school’s Senior Naval Science Instructor, the annual inspection represents far more than a formal military tradition.
“This event is really the culmination of all the care and hard work the kids have put in throughout the year,” Decker said after the ceremony. “It’s a chance for them to showcase everything they’ve been working on — a day to put the spotlight on the cadets, recognize their achievements, and celebrate what they’ve accomplished.”
Linden’s NJROTC program has grown dramatically since its beginnings. Founded in 1986 with just 92 students, the unit has expanded into a global model for youth leadership and character development. Today, the program’s 550 cadets surpass more than 641 NJROTC units nationwide, along with additional programs operating overseas.
The inspection began early in the morning as cadets assembled in formation for detailed personnel inspections conducted by visiting military representatives and recruiters from several branches of the armed forces.
Inspectors evaluated cadets on uniform presentation, grooming standards, military bearing, and knowledge of naval science principles, asking questions that ranged from leadership traits and general orders to current events and the national chain of command.
By 11 a.m., the atmosphere shifted from inspection to ceremony.
A ceremonial ship’s whistle echoed through the gymnasium as cadets presented the regimental colors and led the audience in the national anthem, officially opening the ceremonial portion of the event.
Parents, school leaders, military recruiters, and elected officials filled the gymnasium as cadets performed precision drill demonstrations, participated in rank promotions, and received awards recognizing leadership, academic achievement, and service.
But for Decker, the most meaningful moment of the day came when the program recognized seniors preparing to take their next step.
“The highlights for me are definitely the seniors and seeing the great things they’re going to do next year,” he said. “During the ceremony we recognize the cadets who have committed to military service, either through enlistment or ROTC scholarships. That’s always one of the most meaningful moments of the day.”
This year, 10 graduating cadets from Linden’s NJROTC program have committed to serving in the United States military, a milestone that underscores the program’s leadership pipeline.
According to Decker, six cadets will enlist in the United States Marine Corps, two will join the United States Navy, one will enter the United States Air Force, and one will serve in the National Guard.
The numbers carry particular significance when viewed within the program’s graduating class. Linden’s NJROTC program will graduate more than 90 seniors this year, meaning roughly one in nine cadets is choosing to enter military service, a percentage significantly higher than what is typically seen among graduating seniors nationwide.
During the ceremony, Superintendent Perkins reflected on the broader meaning of the moment, reminding cadets that their journey began not in uniform, but in the classroom.
“The American people, the citizens of our City of Linden and Linden Public Schools have always understood that their guarantees of freedom rest on the shoulders of those serving in the United States Armed Forces and all of our veterans,” Perkins said.
“As a wife of a Navy veteran and as an educator, it is worth remembering that before you wore uniforms, you sat in classrooms. Every soldier serving today and every veteran who protected our freedom was once a student taught by a teacher -- some right here in Linden Public Schools.”
Perkins thanked the NJROTC instructors and veterans who help guide the program.
“Thank you from a Navy wife, a teacher, a school principal, and now superintendent of Linden Public Schools,” she said. “Thank you, Naval instructors and veterans, for contributing to the foundation of service to others and something larger.”
For Decker, the ceremony ultimately reinforces the deeper mission of NJROTC: preparing young people for lives of leadership, responsibility, and service — whether their future leads them to the military, college, or other career paths.
Still, the moment that resonates most deeply is watching those seniors step forward to commit themselves to serving their country.
“For me,” Decker said, “watching those seniors step forward and commit to serving their country is always the highlight.”