LCDR Dennis P. Wonders GYSGT Joe L. Ingram
US Navy (Ret) USMC (Ret)
Senior Naval Science Instructor Naval Science Instructor
Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps
SprayberryHigh School
2525 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, GA30066
(770) 578-3200 ext. 301, 302
Parents of new NJROTC Cadets for SY 2013-14, 24JUN13
Congratulations on having your son and/or daughter sign up for the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program at SprayberryHigh School. I am very excited as we continue to grow and improve our program this upcoming school year. Gunnery Sergeant Joe Ingram and I look forward to this challenge and the opportunity to work with your child. Rather than just teaching a class per day to students, we administer an overall program that emphasizes self-discipline, reliability, academics, physical conditioning and character development from day one. While in our program, your cadet will be able to earn promotions within our cadet ranks (from Cadet Seaman Recruit up to Cadet Commander). Additionally, cadets will be able to compete in our various teams in drill, athletics, academicsand orienteering. Of course, just “showing up” won’t necessarily earn your cadet a letter or promotion. All of our cadets must personally earn everything they receive in NJROTC.
The purpose of this letter is to announce the opportunity for our new cadets to participate in the Annual NJROTC Orientation Camp, which will be held jointly with Lassiter High SchoolatLassiter NJROTC, 2601 Shallowford Road, Marietta, GA 30066. The dates are Monday and Tuesday July 22, 23from 9 am until3 pm each day. Our cadet leaders are developing an agenda that will detail each day’s activities. Attending our orientation will afford the students an excellent opportunity to transition into the NJROTC program. Bottom line, by attending, they will meet the NJROTC Instructors, get a better feel for the NJROTC program, meet fellow cadets and staff, learn basic drill movements and participate in athletic events. We will not be strictly enforcing grooming standards during the two days, but males must leave their earrings at home. We will discuss the grooming standards that will be strictly enforced during the school year (these standards are required by the U.S. Navy to enable a student to participate in the NJROTC program). We will have one session for parents (Monday 7/22 at 9am) which will be conducted by our Senior Naval Science Instructors.Our new cadets will also have an opportunity to participate in Drill Camp, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, July 24, 25 from 9am until 3pm. Participation at all events is not mandatory but highly encouraged. Cadets should wear athletic clothing and running shoes and bring a bottle of water and a packed lunch each day.
There is no sugar coating the fact that NJROTC will be unlike any other class your son or daughter will experience. We will demand that our cadets maintain accountability and responsibility for their actions and performance. We will not be bashful about pointing out their shortcomings or failure to measure up to our standards. However, if they do well in JROTC, they will eventually earn an officer’s job and assist in running the unit, possibly earning scholarships at ROTC universities. They will learn leadership, teamwork and citizenship skills from a proven program that instills confidence and maturity.
So please send us an email at or if your son or daughter can attend. Thanks, and we look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
LCDR Dennis P. Wonders, USN (ret)
Senior Naval Science Instructor