Sgt. Maj. Wilfred Green celebrated 10 years of service as Herndon High School’s naval science instructor during a retirement picnic last Saturday at Algonkin Regional Park.
The picnic featured a farewell ceremony complete with singing and dancing — in addition to speeches commemorating Green, the team he worked with and the students he taught. Throughout the afternoon, cadets signed a memory book for Green at a table near the picnic entrance.
Before becoming an instructor, the sergeant major served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 28 years, with experience in both Vietnam and Iraq.
"I was on the drill team with Sgt. Maj. Green all four years of high school," said Bob Lawson, a graduating cadet. "I remember him at drill team practice every morning, raring to go. He never lost any motivation."
THE NAVAL JUNIOR Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in military operations. The Herndon High School unit has rifle and drill teams, hosts an annual military ball and is active in the Herndon community. Most graduating cadets have the option to enlist in the U.S. Navy at a higher pay grade because of their experience in the program.
"The most important things to learn are leadership, responsibility, respect, hard work and success," said Sgt. Maj. Green about NJROTC training. "It is important for the cadets to accomplish their goals."
Following the picnic and farewell ceremony, students gathered around a dunk tank with each shot costing one dollar — raising $1,77.75 that the unit will donate to the American Cancer Society.