Jordan High School’s Naval Cadet program has officially earned Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) status, a milestone that brings additional funding, resources and opportunities for students interested in leadership, adventure and getting a head start on their futures.
For retired Navy Master Chief Jonathan Ward, who oversees the program, it’s a welcome vote of confidence in a program that’s been growing steadily since its launch in 2024.
The program started with just 30 cadets. Enrollment climbed to 51 the following year and stands at about 70 this year with aspirations to reach 100.
And with growth comes expenses. A single cadet’s uniform can cost about $700. Under the program’s new designation, the Navy will provide uniforms, help cover travel expenses for field trips and competitions, and pay a portion of Ward’s salary.
But the real payoff, Ward says, is what students gain from the experience.
“My goal is to create leaders and create citizens,” Ward said. “The whole mission of the program is to create leaders and give them opportunities to advance in college and careers.”
All Canyons District students are welcome to enroll and students currently in the program hail from all five of Canyons District’s comprehensive high schools.
While NJROTC is structured as a four-year program, students can join without committing to all four years. Also, contrary to what some might assume, joining the NJROTC doesn’t mean signing up for military service — though Ward is the first to tout the benefits of doing so.
Among Ward’s graduates are students attending the University of Utah and Utah State University on full scholarships. Another student will be attending the University of Maine on an ROTC scholarship. Other former cadets have joined the Navy and military reserves.
“It’s a beautiful avenue to get paid to go to college,” Ward said.
Cadets study everything from leadership and citizenship to naval history, science and technology. They participate in community service, develop teamwork skills and learn what it means to take responsibility for themselves and others.
In so doing, they build confidence and discover a different avenue for connection and purpose than what may be available through sports, the arts, or academic clubs.
That was the intent of the program, which draws students with varied interests and aspirations. “The vision for this program is why I took the job,” said Ward, a retired Navy musician who played trombone during his military career. “These students can come to my classroom and find a place to call their own.”
Jordan High’s cadets will have an opportunity to show off their skills on Friday, Nov. 20 during the program’s annual Military Pass in Review ceremony at Jordan High. The event, scheduled for 10 a.m. in the school gym, draws on a longstanding military tradition in which troops parade before a commanding officer, showcasing their discipline, teamwork and readiness.
Interested in joining the crew? Applications for Jordan High’s NJROTC program are accepted each semester. Information about the curriculum can be found on Jordan High’s website.
