Community Education

Peninsula School District’s NJROTC unit to march in National Memorial Day Parade

Posted on May 21st, 2025 By: Christina T Henry

Peninsula School District’s TideHawks NJROTC unit will represent the state of Washington at the 2025 National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, in Washington, D.C.

The unit was invited to the national parade after taking the Grand Marshal’s Award in the 2024 Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade, said Command Master Chief Robert Stockton. They were nominated by Cmdr. Vincent Quidachay, NJROTC manager for Area 23, encompassing units in Washington and Oregon, according to Peninsula School District.

“We are honored to receive this invitation and represent Washington state at our nation’s capital,” Stockton said. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication and hard work of our cadets and their commitment to excellence.”

Peninsula School District’s TideHawks NJROTC unit will represent the state of Washington on May 26 at the 2025 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

Trip to D.C.

Heading to D.C. are 86 cadets and 24 adults. The TideHawks will march down Constitution Avenue in a 58-flag color guard.

The 250th National Memorial Day Parade honors America’s service members past and present with a grand celebration that is broadcast around the world.

During their stay in the nation’s capital, the TideHawks will take in the sights and visit the White House.

Unit is growing

Peninsula School District’s NJROTC unit, based at Peninsula High School, comprises 126 cadets in grades 9 through 12 from all high schools in the district. The program is growing, Stockton said.

The Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps was established under the National Defense Act of 1916. Congress expanded the JROTC program in 1964 to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools.

The program’s goal is to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.”

Stockton said cadets take on leadership roles that are key to running the program. This year, cadets gave 3,200 hours of community service.

A ‘Distinguished Unit’

In May 2024, the TideHawks unit earned official recognition by the Navy.

The unit was established in 2021 as a National Navy Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) unit. NNDCC cadets follow the NJROTC curriculum. The biggest difference is that NNDCC units are funded primarily by host schools; NJROTC units receive funding from the Navy for instructors, curriculum and uniforms.

In October, the unit was recognized as a Distinguished Unit with honors for the 2024-25 school year. The recognition is given to the top 20 percent of NJROTC programs in 23 designated areas of the country, based on excellence in administration, academics, military proficiency and host school support.

Loss of founding leader

Former unit commander Darrell Hood, a retired Navy lieutenant commander and founding leader of the TideHawks, died in early November out of state. He was highly respected by cadets and parents alike, according to Anne Bunker, NJROTC booster mom and parent.

Hood spent 30 years in the military and 10 working for the federal government. He was a teacher in the NJROTC program in Shelton before taking on leadership of the new unit in Peninsula School District. Just halfway through the first year, the unit was already 88 cadets strong.

Stockton, current unit leader, joined the unit in 2022.

Developing ‘good humans’

NJROTC is not a military recruitment pipeline, although a number of cadets each year go on to military schools or join the military. The program emphasizes citizenship and leadership development.

Bunker has had three students in the program, including daughter Amelia Boman, a sophomore and current cadet. Bunker says the program teaches leadership and other broad life skills like no other.

“I think it’s an incredibly positive program,” she said. “It exposes the kids to some incredible career paths, as well as just really teaching them to be good humans.”

Cadets honored

The Peninsula School Board on April 22 recognized NJROTC students who have received military academy appointments and those who are enlisting in the military:

Peninsula High School

Kenyon Ballard, appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point

Gig Harbor High School

Jacob Gabe, appointed to United States Air Force Academy

Henry Davis, appointed to United States Naval Academy

David Rogers, full NROTC scholarship and full Army ROTC scholarship — Engineering at University of Washington

NJROTC

AJ Foreman, United States Army, ROTC four-year scholarship at Seattle University (Nursing)

Aiden Miller, United States Army, ROTC four-year scholarship at the University of Tennessee (Pre-Med)

Aaron Hogeberg, United States Navy, ROTC four-year scholarship at Texas A&M (Nuclear Engineering)

Jedidiah Young, United States Navy, ROTC four-year scholarship, Navy Preparatory Program at Regent University.

Joseph Young, Washington National Guard/U.S. Army scholarship at Washington State University

Prince Charles, Washington National Guard/U.S. Army scholarship at Central Washington University