The Hopewell High School Army JROTC Program was established in the 1993-1994 school year. The program initially started with 75 cadets
and has grown to over 150 cadets in its twenty years of existence. In this period of time, the Blue Devil Battalion has achieved great heights, including Honor Unit Awards for the past twenty years to include Honor Unit With Distinction for the last ten consecutive years. LTC Pape arrived in Hopewell in 2017 and 1SG Cabrera arrived in 2005. They are currently the Senior Army Instructor and the Army Instructor.
The Army JROTC mission is: "To Motivate Young People To Be Better Citizens." The course carries a full elective credit. The JROTC curriculum includes: Character and Leadership Development, Foundations of Success, Leadership Theory and Application, Citizenship and American History, Wellness, Fitness and First Aid, Geography and Earth Science, Financial Management and Service Learning. While there are no military requirement following completion of Army JROTC, cadets who complete three or more years of the JROTC Program may enter the military at an advanced rank.
The cadet battalion is organized into two companies, Alpha and Bravo, each containing two platoons with four squads. The battalion headquarters include:
Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, Command Sergeant Major, Administrations Officer, Security Officer, Operations Officer, Supply Officer, Special Projects Officer, Communications Officer, Alpha Company Commander, Alpha Company 1SG, Bravo Company Commander, and a Bravo Company 1SG.
In addition to maintaining exceptional curriculum grades and wearing the uniform once a week, JROTC cadets support a wide range of school and community activities. They participate in: parades, summer camp, a formal military ball, color guard presentations, school assemblies, raider competitions, drill competitions, and basketball games. They take field trips to places, which are historical, educational, interesting, and fun.
Cadets organize fund-raising and participate in patriotic projects.
The Army JROTC Program of Instruction is designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community,
and personal responsibility, while instilling in them: self-esteem, self-discipline, and teamwork. Its focus is reflected in its mission statement:
"To motivate young people to be better citizens." JROTC cadets are expected to wear the power, career planning, planning skills, cadet challenge, leading situations and orienteering. There are between 120-150 cadets annually within the Blue Devil Battalion. Participation in after-school events
is voluntary, but strongly encouraged.
Edited November 27, 2017