Troy High School NJROTC held its annual military inspection (AMI) on Nov. 20 in the North Gym of the school, bringing together nearly 400 cadets for evaluation, drill and ceremony.
The inspection, required for all NJROTC programs nationwide, assesses each unit’s readiness, discipline and overall performance. Five inspectors, Staff Sergeant Mumper and De La Rosa, Gunnery Sergeant Aglio, Sergeant Love and Rear Admiral Nowakowski, from the Navy and Marine Corps attended the event.
AMI began at 8 a.m. with cadets being assembled for the yearly unit photo, taken on the gym’s bleachers. After the photo, students returned to their platoons to prepare for inspection. For most cadets, preparations had started weeks earlier, with time spent polishing uniforms, practicing drill movements and reviewing required academic knowledge.
The annual military inspection serves as a comprehensive check of a unit’s training. Cadets are organized into platoons, which are groups of students who practice, drill and trail together under student leadership. During inspection, each platoon demonstrates a short drill sequence before being evaluated individually on uniform appearance, bearing and understanding of basic NJROTC concepts.
The first portion of the morning focused on the program’s student leadership team, or the staff. These cadets oversee the unit’s operations, administration, supply, training, public affairs and color guard. Inspectors met with them before the larger inspection began, reviewing their records and discussing how the unit functions day-to-day.
Once staff inspection ended, platoons were called one by one to the center of the gym. Cadets performed their marching sequence before standing at attention for individual evaluation. Inspectors moved down each formation, checking alignment, uniform details and basic knowledge. The process took several hours, covering the entire regiment.
After the inspection, the unit assembled for the Report-In ceremony. This portion of AMI allows cadet leaders to formally confirm attendance and readiness, moving in order from platoon to company battalion. The ceremony is designed to demonstrate organization and communication within the unit.
The regiment then stood at present arms for the National Anthem before gathering for remarks from instructors and the visiting admiral. Following the speeches, the Unarmed Exhibition Team performed a coordinated routine and the Armed Exhibition Team presented a drill sequence with rifles, showcasing precision and teamwork throughout the unit.
Inspectors departed around midday, and cadets were dismissed shortly before lunch, marking the conclusion of the 2025 annual military inspection. For NJORTC, the event represented both an evaluation and a celebration of the training completed throughout the semester.
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