• The Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program at Lake Taylor High School, Norfolk, Virginia, was established in 1972. In 2004, the NJROTC Program became the ground work of the NJROTC Academy of Leadership and Military Science, the magnet specialty program at Lake Taylor High School. The number of Cadets has risen steadily from 102 in 2004 to 198 in 2015.

    CONTACT INFORMATION:

    Capt Geno Garrett, M.Ed
    Senior Naval Science Instructor
    Director - Academy of Leadership and Military Science
    Lake Taylor High School NJROTC
    Work 757-892-3200, ext 3102
    Cell 757-348-3631
    ggarrett@nps.k12.va.us

    Mission Statement

    • The NJROTC Academy of Leadership and Military Science is a collaborative venture between Lake Taylor High School and a number of community, private sector, government, higher education, and military agencies. The Academy of Leadership and Military Science, with the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Corps as its foundation, serves high school students in grades nine through twelve. The small learning community of the Academy is comprised of cluster scheduling of core, naval science, and leadership programs as well as year-round mentoring and internships with community partners. First year students are introduced to the leadership qualities of followership and mentoring. Second year students continue with leadership and character development and are introduced to year round internships with community partners. Third year and fourth year students continue with internships and are selected to become supporting class leaders in cooperative learning in first year core, foreign language, and military science classes. Students take core, foreign language, and naval science courses taught by certified public school teachers. Internship experiences are under the guidance of a community mentor in their specific area of expertise. Students are advised by a high school guidance counselor and together will build an individual schedule that will meet high school graduation and college requirements. The Academy provides for an orderly learning environment that creates a venue for individual, school, and community identity development. The Academy provides a challenging and rigorous interdisciplinary program in the nurturing environment necessary to close the achievement gap of students who may not be able to perform at their full potential in the large environment of the traditional, comprehensive high school.

     

    Unit Facts and Accomplishments

    • 8 consecutive selection as a Distinguished Unit Honors

     

    Academic Achievements: Outside of instilling patriotism, responsibility, and discipline, education remains the number one focus for this program.

    • 40% of all cadets on the Honor Roll
    • 8 of the past 11 years, either the Class Valedictorian, Salutatorian or both have been in the NJROTC Academy of Leadership and Military Science.

     

    Competitions (Host):

    • Unit hosts the following events each year since 2004
      • Fall Titan Classic Athletic/UPI/Academic Meet
      • 3 Orienteering Meets
      • The Area FIVE Championship

     

    Competitions (Participant): Lake Taylor has multiple teams that compete across the board at both live and postal events.

    • Drill Teams
      • Platoon Standard and Exhibition
      • Color Guard
      • 2 Man Exhibition
      • Squad
    • Athletics
    • Academics
    • Air Rifle
    • UPI
    • Orienteering

    Orientation & Training Activities:

    • Throughout each year, Cadets from Lake Taylor High School visit NAS Oceana, NOB Norfolk, JEBLCFS, Wallops Island, Baltimore Aquarium, Naval Academy and numerous colleges and universities throughout the mid-Atlantic area.
    • Twice each year cadets participate in the Basic Leadership Training (BLT) (160 cadets per year)
    • Leadership Academy (2 cadets per year)
    • Throughout the year cadets attend numerous student leadership training opportunities:
      • Norfolk Student Government & Leadership Retreat (25 cadets)
      • VHSL Student Government & Leadership Seminar (8 cadets)
      • Regent University Student Government & Leadership Seminar (8 cadets)
      • Old Dominion Student Government & Leadership Seminar (15 cadets)

    Summer Training Activities:  The Academy of Leadership and Military Science operates year round.

    • Leadership Academy (VA) (2 cadets)
    • Cadet Leadership Course (VA) (60 cadets)
    • Staff Leadership Training (VA) (16 cadets)

    Community Service Activities: The unit is highly visible and active in all of the surrounding communities. Since the start of the NJROTC Academy of Leadership and Military Science in 2004, the NJROTC Academy has accumulated over 100,000 hours of community service.

    • Relay for Life
    • Breast Cancer Awareness
    • Grand Illumination Parade
    • Parade of Nations
    • Toys for Tots
    • Adopt-a-Road Norfolk
    • Earth Day
    • Norfolk Botanical Gardens
    • Elementary and Middle School Mentoring
    • Berkeley, Campostella Childhood Education Center
    • Numerous Church and Community Groups support

    Academy Goals:

    • 5% increase annually in NJROTC Academy Grade Point Average
    • 5% increase annually in Community Service Hours
    • 5% increase annually in NJROTC Academy Enrollment