2021-2022 best year yet for top-rated GHS MCJROTC

For the ninth straight year, Granbury High School Marine Corps JROTC has been designated as a Naval Honor School, placing the program in the top 10% of the 70 MCJROTC programs in Region 5.

The battalion also earned the Marine Corps Reserve Association Outstanding Unit Award for the second consecutive year. It is the highest award a MCJROTC unit can receive, and only four are awarded worldwide each year.

Because of the honor, GHS MCJROTC is considered one of the best among 270 MCJROTC programs worldwide.

The selection process includes evaluation of several areas, including community service hours, cadet involvement in student government, cadet involvement in school activities and clubs, cadet academic awards, scholarship awards, public affairs events and team accomplishments.

The honor helps current GHS JROTC seniors who hope to join a service academy. They will receive letters of recommendation from Lt. Col. Scott Casey or 1st Sgt. Johnny Rositas III that, according to a press release issued by the GISD, will carry as much weight as a letter from a state senator or member of Congress.

Because of the prestigious award, the GHS MCJROTC will be able to send those nominations directly to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Military Academy at West Point.

According to Casey, the 2021-2022 school year was the MCJROTC’s most successful year in recent history.

The MCJROTC’s many accomplishments for that school year included $2 million in scholarships awarded to senior cadets, the most in the history of the program, and the rifle team earning state and national recognition.

Seven seniors enlisted in the Marine Corps, one in the U.S. Army, one in the U.S. Air Force, and one in the U.S. National Guard.

The battalion commander will attend West Point on a rifle scholarship and another senior rifle team member will attend the Naval Academy and shoot for their rifle team.