Drill Meet - Passic
What are Drill Meets?

A Drill Meet is a competition where NJROTC units showcase their teamwork, leadership, precision, and discipline through various drill routines, also known as cards. Cadets will compete in unarmed regulation and exhibition, armed regulation and exhibition, color guard, and personal inspection. At Drill Meet, there are also other categories to compete in, such as Academics, Athletics, and, at times, Orienteering. These meets gather cadets to strengthen their leadership and teamwork skills and to teach them to take pride in their unit's representation.

U.S. Naval Academy/NROTC Information Forum

Attached is the information for a U.S. Naval Academy/NROTC Forum, which is an excellent opportunity for cadets interested in the

Orienteering Meet - Brenden Byrne Forest

Cadets will travel to Brendan Byrne State Forest to compete in the upcoming Orienteering meet. Orienteering tests land navigation skills, endurance, teamwork, and quick thinking. Orienteering can be participated in teams or individually. Cadets will be given a compass and a map to locate checkpoints across a vast terrain while being timed. Depending on the course taken, cadets can choose the difficulty level, ranging from direct-trial courses to completely off-course courses that require problem-solving and quick critical thinking. Orienteering can help to strengthen confidence, decision-making, and responsibility in a large new field environment. Winners are determined by the fastest time in each individual course, not by teams. Cadets can earn the Orienteering Ribbon by participating in an Orienteering meet.

Asbury Park Parade

Cadets will participate in the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade to support the local community and to represent MAST. St. Patrick’s Day Parades are usually volunteer-driven and are held to celebrate Irish heritage, culture, and pride. Cadets will march in formation, demonstrating bearing, discipline, teamwork, and respect. Cadets can earn participation points towards the Participation Ribbon by participating in parades.

Highlands Parade

Cadets will additionally participate in the Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade to support the local community and to represent MAST. St. Patrick’s Day Parades are usually volunteer-driven and are held to celebrate Irish heritage, culture, and pride. Cadets will march in formation, demonstrating bearing, discipline, teamwork, and respect. Cadets can earn participation points towards the Participation Ribbon by participating in parades.

Drill Meet - Area 2 Champions

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology Drill Team competed at the Owen J. Roberts Drill Meet at Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, February 7th, 2026. The MAST Drill Team—commanded by Drill Commander Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Kevin Madeira—took first place overall, beating out seven other units, including some of the best competitors in the region, including Linden High School NJROTC and Colts Neck High School NJROTC. 

The cadets from the Marine Academy were accompanied by their Naval Science Instructors, Senior Naval Science Instructor Captain Ross Geske, Naval Science Instructor Senior Chief Micheal Vaccarella, and Naval Science Instructor Chief William Fetherman. 

The MAST Academics Team—commanded by Academics Officer Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Helene Hollingsworth—took first place, as did the Unarmed Exhibition Team, which was commanded by Battalion Master Chief Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer Argie Loucopoulos. Both the Unarmed Regulation Team—commanded by Training Officer Cadet Lieutenant Donovan Post—and the Varsity Color Guard—commanded by Gold Color Guard Commander Cadet Senior Chief Nicholas Amey—also earned first place in their respective events.

MAST received second place in the physical fitness event, commanded by Athletics Officer Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Gleason and Assistant Athletics Officer Cadet Senior Chief Josiah Vazquez. Additionally, MAST won second place in the Armed Exhibition, which was commanded by Operations Officer Cadet Lieutenant Samantha Foret.

Winning first place in an Area Drill Meet is a great accomplishment for both the MAST Drill Team and the school as a whole. This is the first time in fourteen years that MAST has won first place in an Area Drill Meet, the last time having been in 2012. This win has automatically qualified the MAST Drill Team for the National Competition! Congratulations and Bravo Zulu to the MAST Drill Team!

Blue and Gold Officer Meeting

A Blue and Gold Officer is a volunteer representative of the United States Naval Academy who helps guide applicants through the admissions process. Additionally, they help clarify with students what the Naval Academy is looking for in students, answer questions about requirements, explain obligations if accepted, and discuss what student life would be like at the Naval Academy. They will also conduct student interviews and serve as both a mediator between the Naval Academy and the applicants and a mentor to help them strengthen their applications.

On January 13, MAST’s assigned Blue and Gold Officer, Mr. Peter Engelman, visited the school, gave a presentation, and spoke with interested cadets about the Naval Academy. We had students from all four grade levels attend and were able to ask questions to better their understanding of the Naval Academy and the Opportunities they provide.

Naval Ball
What is Naval Ball?

Naval Ball is a formal event held after AMI that celebrates the Achievements of the NJROTC unit and its cadets from over the year's events and AMI. It's an evening of tradition, fellowship, and ceremony. It features dinner, dancing, activities, pictures, and a formal presentation to begin the evening. The NJROTC participates to honor the unit's accomplishments, build unity, and uphold the Navy's customs.

Colts Neck Brain Brawl

On Saturday, November 22, MAST had 16 cadets compete at the annual Colts Neck Brain Brawl Competition. The Brain Brawl is a quiz bowl-style competition that tests the competing cadets on general Naval Science knowledge and trivia questions that range from general sciences to world history and even pop culture. The 16 MAST cadets were separated into three teams of 4, and one of the teams, consisting of Senior cadet Cassara Yannarelli, Junior Nicholas Amey, Sophomore Luke Franco, and Freshman David Schivell, placed second overall. As well as Senior cadet Helene Hollingsworth placing second overall out of all cadets at the competition.

Rutgers/Princeton NROTC

Event hosted by the Rutgers University–New Brunswick NROTC program. On Friday, November 21, 2025, NJROTC cadets were invited to the Academic Building on the College Avenue Campus for an informational session with NROTC staff and current Midshipmen from Rutgers and Princeton. The event offered cadets valuable insight into the NROTC scholarship process—with applications due January 31, 2026— and also provided sophomores and juniors a chance to learn more about future opportunities in the program. Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of Midshipman life and the path toward becoming a naval officer.

AMI
What is AMI?

AMI, short for Annual Military Inspection, is a formal evaluation conducted by the Navy with representatives from the respective area management. The representatives assessed the Schools' NJROTC Units' performance, appearance, organization, and leadership, as well as their student-run departments. The cadets demonstrated their knowledge, teamwork, and discipline through company inspections and a B-Schedule, culminating in a ceremony and performance. This event helped ensure that the NJROTC program maintains a high standard and also recognized the hard work and dedication of its cadets.