NAVY ANNOUNCES NJROTC JOSEPH C. GILLIAM ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD COMPETITION

Every year, the Navy conducts the prestigious Joseph C. Gilliam Academic Achievement Award competition sponsored by the Admiral Senn Foundation.  The competition is open to all interested cadets.  Although the award is a competition focused on the cadet's overall academic worthiness, a significant part of the decision is based the supporting essay written by each contestant.  This year's topic is:

"Describe your thoughts about the flag of the United States of America, and what it means to you as a citizen of this country."

Background information:   Current events have brought competing ideals concerning the flag into the public eye.  On the one hand, there are those who, as a matter of protest have kneeled for the National Anthem or have burned the flag in protest under their protected rights covered in the First Amendment.  On the other, there is a large and highly vocal portion of the population which takes deep offense at these actions and there have been several proposed laws/amendments to the Constitution which have aimed to make desecration of the flag illegal.   NJROTC is a citizenship development program; as a citizen, how do you view the U.S. Flag?  Your essay should highlight examples of what you believe and why, as well as how your experience in NJROTC has affected your beliefs.

The essay should be typewritten, and between 500 and 750 words.  The award amount, if any, will be determined by the Admiral Senn Foundation and will be provided to the selectees from the eleven areas, with acceptable essays.  All cadets are encouraged to submit essays void of incomplete sentences, improper grammar, misspellings, strikeovers, and the like.   

Of particular note is the fact that a school must submit a credible Gilliam award nomination in order to be competitive for Distinguished Unit recognition.  There is a cash prize--last year it was $1,000.00.

Interested?  Submit your essay to the Senior Naval Science Instructor by 27 January 2017. We will review all submissions and based on the quality of the essay and the strength of the individual's overall standing academically and militarily decide on the best package to forward to Area Four for competition with the other schools.  We will forward only one package, although we may award a local prize to the runners-up.  

Questions?  You already know who to ask.