Grissom High School – Grissom High School Honor Unit with Distinction

Writer & Photographer – MSG (R) Derrick Hamilton

On April 16, 2025, Grissom High School was visited by 6th Brigade JROTC Directorate Mr. Rodney Clark to evaluate the JROTC Program for its JROTC Program Accreditation (JPA). The Tiger Battalion cadets put in a lot of hard work and CSM (R) Cedric Moore and MSG (R) Derrick Hamilton could not have been more proud as the Battalion received a score of 96.5% out of a 100. This allowed the Battalion to maintain the title Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) which is identified by a Gold Star on the dress uniform.

Cadets were instrumental with this assessment as the JPA covered:

• Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP): Demonstrates the program’s ongoing efforts to enhance its quality.
• Service Learning Project: Evaluates the program’s involvement in community service activities
Unit Report: Provides overview of the unit’s performance and activities.
• Cadet and Instructor Portfolios: Assess the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities of cadets and instructors.
• Uniform and Room Inspections: Ensure compliance with JROTC standards.
• Cadet Knowledge Testing: Evaluates cadets’ understanding of leadership education training (LET) material The cadet’s passion for success led to tears, anxiety, self-doubt, nervousness, and various other emotions throughout this process but all that participated did a PHENOMENAL job and prevailed while learning a lot about themselves.

“I found the experience to be very helpful. I am also very grateful for Mr. Clark’s effort as well as the Tiger Battalion. I will definitely take Mr. Clark’s advice as future BN XO and Color Guard Commander.” c/SSG Aliyana Jowers, the future BN Executive Officer for SY 25-26 Due to COVID and unforeseen circumstance, this was the first the Battalion has been through this process since 2018! Go, Tigers!