It has been an Outstanding Year. We earned the NJROTC’s top honor: Distinguished Unit with Honors! This designation allows the schools to nominate students to all three US Service Academies (Annapolis, West Point and Air Force). Most notably though, it recognizes the outstanding work and achievement of our cadets Almost every senior earned a scholarship in some amount, and seven graduating seniors receive full ride scholarships worth a combined $1 Million Dollars. We raised over $2800 dollars for phone cards and pizza for Troops Overseas; help with Operation Iraqi Children and the Lutheran Home Veterans Project; supported River Trails Park District, Relay for Life, Lambs Farm, and the North Chicago VA Hospital; and participated in many more civic and school Color Guards, parades, and service projects. We hosted the Chicagoland Drill Meet, the Damage Control Olympics, and the Surf Rider Beach PT. Bravo Zulu to everyone for a job well done.

The class of 2010 will be taking the helm of the unit this summer. They are already meeting to determine their own goals for SY09-10 and to come up with a training plan for events and trips. We hope to have a special event scheduled each month (including a trip to San Diego Hawaii in December); to get every cadet actively involved; and make opportunities for everyone to contribute.

Some of the summer events that we already know about are: Basic Leadership Training in Marseilles; Leadership Academy at Great Lakes: the Experimental Aircraft Association Air Show in Oshkosh; Freshman Indoctrination; the back-to-school picnic; and the Chicago Air and Water Show in Chicago. Make sure you read the entire newsletter to get the details, but periodically check out our web site at www.njrotc.info for updates and a calendar. Also note all of the summer events are open to new cadets, and when possible they are even open to students who might register, so you can bring a non-NJROTC friend or interested student if you call and give us enough time to make arrangements.

We look forward to school resuming on Aug 26th for the daytime students, and seeing all the ‘night’ cadets at our first NJROTC night class on Wednesday, Sept 2nd. Don’t hesitate to call us for more information, one of us will be around all summer (847) 718-7116 (though due to construction we’re not sure which building the offices will be in during the summer). You can also email us using individual instructor’s emails listed on the website, or the instructor’s ‘common’ email at njrotc@d214.org.

NJROTC Summer Activities are open to all current and prospective cadets (any student eligible for District 214 courses who may be considering NJROTC), including incoming freshman. Leadership Academy and Basic Leadership Training are already filled, but cadets (and prospective cadets) interested in any of the other events should call the NSIs (847-718-7116. Additional events may be added as the summer progresses.

July 4 Parade. We will march with the Glenview Council of the Navy League in the 4^th of July Parade in Glenview. Every year the Navy League has sponsored two $500 scholarships for our cadets, lets march with them in the Glenview Parade! See web site for details and call 847-718-7116 to sign-up.

Staff and Senior Leadership Training Cadets will meet on Wednesdays starting July 8 at 1000 to develop training plans and goals. All seniors should attend, along with designated juniors. Specific training will include NJUMS, unit goals, NS-1 instruction, Plan-of-Action and Milestones (POAM), and calendar events. Meetings will be held at Forest View Educational Center (FVEC). Transportation will be provided from WHS at 0800. The same cadets will serve as staff for Freshman Indoc and meet on Monday Aug 3^rd at 0800. Cadet staff will also hold their first staff meeting of the SY09-10 year on Aug 26^th. Additional staff training may be scheduled by cadet staff.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): We will meet WHS at 1130 on 30 July and take a mini-bus (or two) to Oshkosh WI for the annual EAA exhibit and air show. There will be plenty of walking around, trying our hand at a flight simulator, and watching one of the best air displays around. We won’t be back until after 2200 (10pm). Bring a water bottle!! Eat lunch, but we’ll stop for a snack before and after the air show. Admission is $20.00 for students, plus you’ll need money for snack & dinner money (and don’t forget souvenirs).

Waukegan USCG Helo Det Picnic: The USCG Birthday is 4 August. We will help the Navy League honor the US Coast Guard helicopter detachment in Waukegan with a Color Guard at the 1 Aug picnic (in their hangar at Waukegan). Cadets participating will eat free, all others there is a $10 donation for food (steaks!).

Freshman indoctrination is a voluntary program to jump start new cadets into NJROTC. New cadets are provided information, issued uniforms and given basic military instruction. Freshman Indoc runs Aug 04 through Aug 6, 0830 – 1530. We don’t know which building we will hold Indoc, so we will offer transportation from each high school at 0800 in the morning and will return cadets to that same building after class. Freshman, cadet mentors and cadet staff will meet their school cadet representative or a designated cadet in front of each school. Attendance is not mandatory, and cadets need not attend everyday or all day. Freshman who attend 14 hours will advance in rank and are usually able to assist other new cadets in the fall. Incoming freshman should RSVP at 847-718-7116 with a phone message on your attendance plans.

The Back-to-School Picnic & Games will be on Friday 07 August at 1100. It is a chance to get acquainted/re-acquainted before school starts. All cadets (new & old and not just indoctrination attendees) are invited for lunch at WHS.

Summer Drill practice: Starting July 8^th, any cadet interested in performing on the drill teams next year should attend the summer practices on Wednesdays, 1300 (1pm) to 1500 (3pm). We will also be trying to develop individuals and a ‘mini-drill team’ that can do drill demonstrations in the middle schools. Call Master Chief Frietag for details.

Marksmanship Training: On 3 Aug, cadets who are not currently Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) qualified can take the CMP training at Forrest View Education Center, room 304 from 0800-1100. Qualified cadets may then shoot on 10, 17, or 24 Aug from 0800 – 1200 and throughout the year in the regular marksmanship training program.

Freshman Marksmanship Training: Incoming cadets will have an opportunity to shoot during the Freshman Indoctrination training.

Due to construction at WHS, cadets who need summer uniforms must get them before the 08-09 school year ends.

Uniform issue/re-issue. Cadets will be able to start getting new uniforms for SY09-10 starting on the day of the Back-to School Picnic (Friday, 7 Aug) from 0800 until 1500. Supply will also be open for additional opportunities to get uniforms on 22 Aug and 29 Aug; 0830 – 1300 (1pm). Please call ahead so we can anticipate your arrival. Don't forget, cadets must wear their uniform once a week, and cadets are responsible for having a complete uniform ready.

Chicago Air and Water Show (Practice)

On 14 August, cadets meet at WHS at 0900 for bus ride to watch Chicago Air and Water Show practice from the beach. Return is anticipated by 1830 (6:30pm). $6 for sub sandwiches and drink. Wear NJROTC T-shirt and appropriate beachwear. ‘Prospective’ students can attend on a ‘space available’ basis. Reserve a spot with the NSIs.

Day classes start August 26.

There will be a staff-only, cadet meeting at 1630 26 August. No transportation is provided.

The first night class for all cadets will be 02 Sept. Busses will run from and return to each school. Schedules will be posted on the web site.

The first Parent Night/Awards night will be 17 Sept.

Parent meetings are held in conjunction with the NJROTC Awards Night. Parent meetings are open to parents of all District 214 cadets. Parents meet at 7 p.m., which is followed with awards and promotions at 7:30. It is a time to talk about the cadets' activities and meet instructors and other parents of cadets from all six high schools. Membership in the association is voluntary, but highly encouraged. Membership fees are $20.00. The SY09-10 President of the Parent Association is Mrs. Kathleen Fernandez, (847) 364-7294.

Don't forget that the NJROTC class is an academic elective. NJROTC teams and field trips are voluntary, but class participation is required. That being said, we try to be very flexible with sports and other school activities...but please don't abuse it. If you are a night student, avoid scheduling medical appointments on Wednesdays. If cadets miss class, guardians must call the NSIs to make it an excused absence. Cadets are responsible for any class work missed. Excessive absences due to sports might require participation in an otherwise voluntary events in order that sufficient 'contact time' is maintained. If you have difficulty with a coach restricting a cadet from a team because of NJROTC participation, or the coach is afraid NJROTC might interfere with team participation, please let the instructors know. We can usually rectify the situation to the satisfaction of everyone.

Transportation to and from regular Wednesday night meetings is provided by school bus companies. New schedules will be posted on the Web site.

Pizza and drinks are offered each Wednesday night (usually at 6:30pm). Cadets must stay in the cafeteria under adult supervision and are not allowed to leave campus. The pizza will cost $2.00/per slice. We offer a choice of cheese, sausage and pepperoni pizza. Non-carbonated drinks and water will be provided at no charge. Soda and juice vending machines are available at the school. Cadets may also bring their own meals, though refrigeration is not available.

We offer two payment options; payment at time of purchase or a prepaid "meal ticket." Meal tickets will be sold for $10, and will be good for 5 slices of pizza. The meal tickets will be laminated, waterproofed, and nearly indestructible. The meal tickets will be available for purchase during mealtime starting on the first NJROTC class night. You may purchase by cash or a check made payable to: Njrotc Parent’s Association.

If financial assistance is required, let LCDR Morse know it is desired for meals. Arrangements will be made to see that cadets will be discretely and confidentially accommodated, but in return cadets are expected to participate in unit fundraising.

The unit uses fundraisers for cadet events, trips, scholarships and to purchase unit equipment. It is also a means for a cadet to 'earn' monetary credit towards their own participation in events and on trips (depending on the fundraiser, cadets can earn up to 50% of the profit to apply to an NJROTC activity). It is important to point out that participation in fundraising is voluntary. In no way should a cadet or guardians think that fundraising is a requirement. That being said, fundraising is important for unit activities and participation may earn credit towards unit ribbons.

Uniforms and books are free, the T-shirt is the only expense ‘mandatory’ expense, and that can be waived when necessary. We will try to arrange sponsorship for cadets when appropriate as we do not want money to keep anyone from participating. However to gain sponsorship/assistance, cadets must participate in unit fundraiser events. The unit holds three unit fundraisers throughout the year.

The unit provides uniforms and NJROTC sweat suits at no charge, however each cadet is asked to buy a Unit T-shirt or Unit polo shirt ($8.00 and $15.00 respectively, $2.00 extra for XXLs). The unit shirts may be worn in lieu of a uniform on designated athletic nights and are often required for extra-curricular events or trips.

All cadets require a current (annual) physical to participate in NJROTC activities such as drill teams, Physical Fitness teams, overnight fieldtrips, orientation trips, orienteering and physical readiness training (PRT). School physicals are acceptable, but they must be current. Cadets without current physicals may be excluded from participating in unit activities and awards, and may lose opportunities for leadership positions.

Practice days during the school year, normally on Saturdays, will be determined based on team member availability. Practice is voluntary, but will be used for forming routines for the year. If you're interested in being on a team, you should try to make the practice.

NJROTC Wheeling has a cadet handbook which augments the training manuals and provides specific information about promotions and routines. The manual will be revised by Class of '10, and will be available in August. Each cadet will be given a copy of the handbook and it is recommended that parents review the handbook as well. There will also be required information, standard release and guardian-cadet agreement forms sent home the first week of classes. Cadets and guardians should review participation requirements, including consequences for not wearing uniforms, association with alcohol and drug use, and excessive absences. Please return the forms as soon as possible.

Each Winter Break we take an orientation trip to military installations in Florida, California, Hawaii or Washington DC. Pending District approval, this year we are tentatively anticipating an NJROTC Orientation trip to San Diego from Dec 27 – Jan 02. These are great trips. Cost is normally between $200 and $300 for all transportation, food and lodging. Cadets can use the unit fundraisers to earn money to pay for part or all of a trip.

NJROTC Wheeling participates in the Chicago Area Orienteering Club (CAOC) events. You can get to their web site at www.Chicago-orienteering.org. You can use the NJROTC Wheeling membership to participate individually during the summer. Details are on their website chicago-orienteering.org. Our first NJROTC orienteering meet will be Aug 16 at Linne Woods. Cadets meet at WHS at 0900! Pending cadet interest, meets are scheduled once a month thereafter.

Service Academies and ROTCs: The mission of the NJROTC program to develop citizenship and leadership among students, regardless of their career choice. It is not NJROTC’s mission to recruit for the military, cadets are not in the military, and there is no military commitment. However we do want students to have the opportunity for college, if they choose to do so. One opportunity is to attend one of the service academies; another is to attend college on an ROTC scholarship. NJROTC cadets definitely have an advantage, but they must compete for these opportunities on a national level. Cadets can already apply to the academies on-line. If an incoming senior is interested the academies or ROTC, let the NSIs know immediately so we can help with the process. Gaining an appointment or scholarship does not mean you have to accept it…and the first year is obligation free if you do.