County’s oldest NJROTC unit making strong comeback

Friday, May 9, 2008

This year, the county’s oldest yet smallest NJROTC group has made a big name for itself thanks to the dedication of the cadets and the guidance and leadership of 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Treiber and Commander Dan Kletter.

Treiber said he and Kletter are working with cadets to enhance the reputation of the NJROTC program at the school and encourage support for the program.

By participating in more competitions and working on team building, the two hope to revamp what once was a large NJROTC unit

Treiber is a former graduate of Calvert High School and was a member of the NJROTC program when it thrived. He hopes to bring the school some recognition in the program again.

‘‘We are on the rise,” Treiber said.

Leading the unit next year is junior Johnathan Jones, the commanding officer for the Calvert unit.

Jones said this past year he has seen a large turn around in the unit. He said Treiber and Kletter have given more responsibility to students, allowing the students to want to step up.

Two major goals Jones has for the unit next year is to take it to a higher level and make it to Area 5, a competition made up of the top 10 best units in the area, which includes most of Maryland and Delaware.

Jones said the NJROTC program has taught him to meet higher expectations and responsibilities.

‘‘If I am held to a higher level in here and they push me to be responsible ... after high school, it could be the same thing,” he said.

Jones said any student who is even remotely interested in the NJROTC program should give it a try.

According to Kletter, many scholarships are achieved through the program, including one student at Calvert who was accepted to the Naval Academy.

Each high school in the county has an NJROTC program. Patuxent High School currently has the largest program with 103 members.

Patuxent has consistently been invited to Area 5 competitions and succeeded. This year, the unit placed ninth in the competition.

Huntingtown High School has more than 70 members and Northern tops 80 members in its programs. These programs are also experiencing success with competitions and membership building.

Treiber and Kletter said all four high school programs are in regular communication with one another and the ultimate goal is to promote the programs through the county and eliminate the idea that NJROTC is a military academy.

‘‘It’s not a military academy; It’s broadening your horizons on leadership, citizenship and having pride in our country,” Kletter said.