Silver Bluff High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, or NJROTC, has been named the most improved unit in the nation for the 2022-23 school year and will celebrate its 40th anniversary this spring.
This unit is led by Senior Naval Science Instructor Brian Goldschmidt, Retired Navy Commander; and Naval Science Instructor Frank Carson, retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant. Commander Goldschmidt and Gunnery Sergeant Carson are in their eighth and fourth year at the school, respectively.
Under their leadership, they have made tremendous gains over the last year. Some of those noted gains include a significant increase in recruitment and retention. The total number of students at the school for last year totals 730; 110 of those students are part of NJROTC, that’s a unit to student body ratio of 15%. They have also instituted a Cadet of the Month and Naval Science 1 of the month recognition program, as well as monthly award and promotion ceremonies. The incoming Naval Science 1 class went from 44 (2021-22) to 55 (2022-23) and included 5 students from the 10th or 11th grades. Last year’s freshmen retention rose from 54% to 68%; sophomore from 41% to 75%; and juniors from 75% to 100%
With stronger numbers, the Devil Dogs increased participation in unit events and activities;
Orientation Activities:
20 cadets attended 3-day Parris Island trip
30 cadets attended STEM day and Blue Angels flight demo at MCAS Beaufort
23 cadets visit to Francis Marion University (and Army ROTC brief)
Summer Training:
Summer ’22: the unit held its own three-day Basic Leadership Training with 22 cadets in attendance
Summer ’23: BLT was expanded to include other NJROTC programs in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and hosted 58 cadets from six schools.
BLT activities included, physical training, leadership classes, a confidence course, teamwork events, familiarization to orienteering, an evening career fair, and culminated with a field day/athletic competition.
Increases in unit academic achievements:
2022-23 Honor Roll: 39 cadets or 37% of unit
ASVAB: 100% seniors, 75% juniors
ACT/SAT prep: 100% seniors, 100% juniors
Academic recognition:
8 cadets National Honor Society; 8 cadets National Technical Honor Society
Cadet Caleb Hunt two USNA nominations (Sen Tim Scott and Rep Joe Wilson) and 3-year Army ROTC scholarship to Furman University. Not accepted to USNA so went to Furman on AR ROTC.
Cadet Ryan Atchison currently working through USNA application process (a senior and unit CO)
Increased opportunities in competitive events (rifle team, orienteering team, Cyberpatriot team, drone team, academic team, athletic team, and drill team);
The drill team is improving and they are striving for a return to the “glory days” of the late ‘80s and early 90’s when they were regular attendees at Navy Nationals.
In the fall of 2022, the marksmanship team resumed activities. With a significant interest level, 12 cadets were selected and all have participated in at least one postal rifle competition.
The drone team was established in 2021-22. Interest continues to grow and there are currently 10 members. The orienteering team was also established in 2021-22. During the summer of 2022, the team and many other members spent a significant number of hours creating trails around the campus and through the surrounding woods in order to host orienteering meets. In its inaugural year, the Silver Bluff orienteering meet saw over 200 runners competing on white and yellow trails and this year will see the addition of an orange trail. Piggy-backing off of the hard work of the NJROTC unit, the school’s cross-country team now uses the same trails and for the first time ever was able to host not one, but two events. The Silver Bluff HS orienteering/cross-country course is even being considered as the site for the regional cross-country championships in the future.
The Cyberpatriot team had a banner year in 2022-23. The unit was able to field two distinct Cyberpatriot teams in this year’s competition. The Blue Team achieved a final ranking of 2nd place in the service division platinum tier in the state of South Carolina. This meant that they were one of the top 10 overall teams in the state, which secured them a spot at the Palmetto Cyber Defense Competition.
Increased community service hours and school support hours:
Color guard details for football and basketball games, induction ceremonies, and graduation;
assisting with running cross-country and track meets;
manage parking for all football games, marching band competitions,
groundskeeping support.
Throughout the academic year, the cadets serve as Bulldog Ambassadors providing orientation tours during new student visits. The goal last year for school support hours was 1,150. The Devil Dogs exceeded that with a total of 1,302 hours, which is a 72% increase over the previous year.
Community service hours:
2022-23 goal – 1600
2022-23 actual – 1408
42% increase over 2021-22
From 2021-22 to 2022-23, the Silver Bluff NJROTC program showed the most improvement in the nation in program growth and execution.
There are over 100 cadets in the program that earned the recognition.
Students involved in the school’s NJROTC program were recognized during the Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. These students include Cadet Lieutenant Commander Ryan Atchison, Unit Commanding Officer; Cadet Lieutenant Starr Broome, Unit Executive Officer; Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Sarah Rosier, Operations Officer; Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Kamdyn Neale, Supply Officer; Cadet Ensign Hayden Hicks, Administrative Officer; Cadet Ensign Trace Mueller, First Lieutenant; and Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer Lindi Clingerman, Command Senior Chief.
Silver Bluff High NJROTC is led by Senior Naval Instructor Brian Goldschmidt, a retired navy commander. Alongside Goldschmidt is Naval Science Instructor Frank Carson, retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant.
The Aiken Standard also covered this story. CLICK HERE TO READ THE AIKEN STANDARD ARTICLE.