Cardozo High School’s NJROTC program had a remarkable event this week, which highlights a historic milestone, as Rear Admiral Matthew T. Pottenburgh, Commander of the Naval Service Training Command, visited the school.
Not only did Rear Adm. Pottenburgh visit, he also awarded the cadets with the 2025 Unit Achievement Award. The visit marked a turning point for the cadets and the program overall, showcasing that it is taking off and becoming one of the most sought-after ROTC programs in the city.
During his visit to the school, Rear Adm. Pottenburgh commended Cardozo’s NJROTC program for its huge size, units, leadership, and achievements. This gratification from Pottenburgh showcased the immense amount of hard work that goes into the program on a daily basis.
“Your unit is amazing,” he said. “I was very impressed by the cadet leadership team that I received the brief from. I was excited to hear about how many cadets you have grown to, starting with just a few, and now almost 300, with more on the waiting list.”
“That’s just super exciting, he added. “Your unit is very impressive.”
While speaking to the cadets, also advised them to remember the importance of hard work in categories such as academics and leadership. “While you’re here in high school, this is not the hardest thing you’ll ever do. But it’s instrumental in establishing positive traits of how to study and how to work hard,” Rear Adm. Pottenburgh said.
“You will be rewarded for that hard work. I’m super proud of you for this incredible unit. Keep leading every single day in this high school and in your community.”
The visit was equally as impactful for many of the Cardozo staff who play a huge role in the NJROTC program. Mr. Georgatos, Assistant Principal of Social Studies, Naval Sciences, and Music, said it is, “An incredible honor and a testament to the growth and excellence of our NJROTC program.”
“It’s a moment of pride for our school and a powerful recognition of the discipline, leadership, and academic achievements our cadets have demonstrated,” Georgatos added.
Georgatos also highlighted the visit’s long-term impact and what it holds in the future for the Cardozo NJROTC program. “We hope this inspires our current cadets to continue striving for excellence and shows prospective students the unique opportunities NJROTC offers,” he said. “It reinforces the value of service, leadership, and commitment, and shows students that their efforts are part of something much larger and meaningful.”
Chief Chen, one of the NJROTC instructors, also acknowledged these impacts and mentioned that the event was, “A very important milestone.” He highlighted the unique opportunity for students to meet a leader of such high rank: “There are over 650 JROTC programs across schools nationwide, and not every day do cadets get to meet someone of that caliber. This visit gives them a sense of the opportunities that lie ahead, while also recognizing the milestones they have already surpassed.”
Rear Adm. Pottenburgh joined the Navy after inspiration he gained from his grandfather’s service in World War II, and shared the values he gained to guide his career.
“I decided to join the Navy because my grandfather was a chief petty officer, and he served on an aircraft carrier called the Bunker Hill,” he explained. “I heard about heroism, teamwork, and camaraderie, the travel and excitement, and that’s why I wanted to join.”
Rear Adm. Pottenburgh’s visit to Cardozo was a way for cadets to see his journey, hear his story, and receive advice and wisdom from someone who has served. It gave them the ability to seek new opportunities and be proud of all the achievements they have made so far in the program.
As Rear Adm. Pottenburgh mentioned to the cadets, “Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, but never stop leading. The opportunities are endless if you put in the work.”
