The award comes after nine consecutive years of Pace NJROTC being named Most Outstanding Unit in Area 16, which encompasses programs in the southeastern United States, including Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and after the unit’s first place victory at the 2025 National Drill Championship and leading their Academics, Air Rifle and Orienteering competition teams to the national level. The team also contributed over 6,200 hours of community service through various volunteer opportunities this year.
Pace NJROTC previously held the national title in 2019 and 2021.
“Being named Most Outstanding Unit for 2024-2025 felt incredible, everything we poured into this program all year finally got the recognition it deserved,” said Commanding Officer Justin Hawkins. “It made me even more proud to serve as Commanding Officer. The dedication of our staff, our battalion, and everyone who stepped up truly paid off, and this award showed that our hard work mattered.”
Pace instructor First Sergeant John Baker was proud of his program, the school and the community, he said.
“Our cadets work extremely hard and always put Pace High and the Navy JROTC program first. A legacy has been built at Pace through years of sustained excellence.”
Santa Rosa Press Gazette will follow up on this announcement with a full article on the program’s accolades and accomplishments.
