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NJROTC program debuts at national competition

Published 1:30 am Friday, April 3, 2026

By Allyson Ballard

Photo by Allyson Ballard. Cadets from Oak Harbor High School — pictured here at a competition in February — should be proud of their performances at nationals, their chief and commander say.

Photo by Allyson Ballard. Cadets from Oak Harbor High School — pictured here at a competition in February — should be proud of their performances at nationals, their chief and commander say.

Oak Harbor High School’s NJROTC program is ranked 19th in the nation after its debut in a U.S. Navy JROTC National Championship in Pensacola last month.

Cmdr. Allen Hall expressed how proud he and Chief Bill Thiel are of their cadets in an email to the News-Times.

“It’s been an amazing year watching the kids grow and perform with the best in the world,” Hall said. “The cadets and instructors couldn’t accomplish what we did this year without the support of the Oak Harbor community.”

A rough day of travel preceded the Wildcats’ arrival in Florida for the competition, Hall explained, limiting many cadets to just two hours of sleep. Some of the other participating schools have considerably more experience at nationals than Oak Harbor did.

While Hall said that some of the cadets have been hard on themselves for their performances, he praised them for their hard work and dedication.

“I’m confident we will continue to improve and be able to return to the national stage in the future to represent Oak Harbor and the Pacific Northwest with pride,” Hall added.

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