View the Photo Gallery from the Rear Admiral's visit to KHS

Kecoughtan NJROTC honored with Distinguished Unit Award during Rear Admiral’s visit

Kecoughtan High School was honored to welcome Rear Admiral Matthew Pottenburg, Commander of Naval Service Training Command, for a special meet-and-greet with Kecoughtan NJROTC cadets and instructors.

During his visit, Rear Admiral Pottenburg toured the NJROTC classrooms and supply storerooms, gaining insight into the daily operations and educational environment of the program. He also took time to engage directly with cadets, answer their questions, share his experiences, and provide words of encouragement about leadership, service, and future opportunities.

A highlight of the visit was Rear Admiral Pottenburg personally presenting the 2026 NJROTC Distinguished Unit Award to the Kecoughtan NJROTC unit in recognition of its outstanding performance, dedication, and achievements. 

This honor is awarded by the Commander of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) and the Department of Defense to recognize units that rank among the top tier (typically the top 30%) of all NJROTC programs nationwide. This prestigious recognition reflects the hard work, commitment, and teamwork demonstrated by our cadets and instructors throughout the school year. Cadets who were members of the unit during the qualifying academic year are authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Ribbon.

During his visit, Rear Admiral Pottenburg also met with Kecoughtan High School's executive principal to discuss the strong partnership and unity between the school and its NJROTC program. Their discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration in developing responsible citizens, future leaders, and successful students. 

“We are so proud of our cadets and the strong leadership of Commander Patrick Batiste and Master Chief De’Andre Beaufort, our JROTC instructors,” said KHS executive principal Dr. Dwayne Lucas. “We credit the program's exponential growth to our amazing instructors. Additionally, we appreciate Rear Admiral Pottenburg's support and investment of time.”

Kecoughtan NJROTC is grateful for the opportunity to host Rear Admiral Pottenburg and appreciates his time, leadership, and continued support of their program.

Anchored in Excellence! Kecoughtan NJROTC — Building Leaders for Tomorrow!