Annual Inspection Offers Display of Perfection

Feet in synch, salutes crisp and uniforms snappy, the Port St. Joe High School NJROTC program cadets appeared ready for inspection last Friday morning.

Lt. Col. Elvin Blumenstock of the Florida A&M NROTC program attested to their fitness.

The annual NJROTC inspection played out in the high school gym last week with cadets going through a series of drills as well as up close inspection from Blumenstock, who was asked to participate this year as the official inspector.

“They’ve worked really hard,” said Lt. Com. (Ret.) Marty Jarosz of the Port St. Joe High NJROTC program. “I’m proud of our drill team. They’ve come a long way. They’ve put in a lot of work.”

With officials from the city of Port St. Joe and the Gulf County School Board as well as parents, family, friends and classmates in attendance, the cadets went through a nearly 90 minute presentation.

Beyond the inspection, during which Blumenstock checked uniforms, insignia, medals and talked with each cadet about their future plans and involvement in NJROTC, the presentation was a chance to demonstrate the unit’s cohesiveness in drills, which is forged during 7 a.m. daily sessions.

There was marching as a unit, in time while making turns, and demonstrations by the rifle drill team.

“It is such a pleasure to see this unit in action,” said school board member George Cox. “Our mission at the school board is to provide students with a well-rounded education and NJROTC is a viable part of that mission.”

That was highlighted by two awards recognized during the inspection.

Senior Cody Clark has already earned a NJROTC scholarship and Adrian Hubbard took the military oath from Jarosz as he prepares to head off into the Navy nuclear submarine program – and boot camp – upon graduation.

“What would a school be without extracurricular activities, be it sports or NJROTC,” said Port St. Joe High principal Duane McFarland. “I thought the kids did a great job. Commander Jarosz is a special person and is doing an outstanding job with these students.”

After his review of the cadets and watching them demonstrate their acumen and cohesiveness as a unit, Blumenstock pronounced the inspection a success.

“This is important for their development regardless of what they want to do in life,” Blumenstock said. “The cadets did a good job.”