SERGEANT HENRY JOHNSON BATTALION NEWSLETTER
(5 December 2020)
I am writing to provide you with an update on the status of the “Sergeant Henry Johnson Battalion” and give
some insight on our plan to move forward during this most unconventional time.
As all of you know, all events scheduled after 13 March 2020 were canceled. These included, but were not
limited to: Monthly Honor-a Veteran program, Sergeant Henry Johnson Memorial Day Ceremonies, Cadet
Leadership Camp (JCLC), Memorial Day Parade, Boys State, Girls State, Leadership Awards/Promotion Night,
Military Ball, drill competitions, Raider Competition, National Physical Fitness Challenge in Florida, color guard
presentations, and numerous other events, approximately 30+ activities. The same has been true of our fall
activities.
In spite of all this, we started this year with the highest number of cadets ever, 64. Usually we have
approximately 50 registered cadets on the first day of school. Another 50 would join or rejoin by the end of
September. This year we have the largest group of Seniors ever, 24. This shows that the cadets of the
Sergeant Henry Johnson Battalion are motivated and ready to overcome the challenges they are faced with.
We did not have a promotion ceremony this past June, but we did complete the promotion process. Listed
below are the cadets who were promoted effective June 2020.
Lieutenant Colonel
Michael Lubinski Second Lieutenant continued
Henry Sowah
Major Keyorrie Wilson
Nevaeh Boyd Hser Wah
Eh Blu Say Mercy Akandr
Goodness Akande
Captain Ange Abayisenga
Tamir Davis-Kimbrough Shawn Burch
Roy Latrell
Cristian Marte Command Sergeant Major
Yasir Mohamed Ian Keefe
Najiba Najibi
Uziel Adil Sergeant First Class
Erica Walker Jesus Castillo
Keyshawn Witters Sheila Cates
Jaden Cusprinie
Second Lieutenant Troy Millin
Kymarah Blackwell-Clark Josephine Pobee-Mensah
Megan Culbertson Mitra Tonema
Uzbek Ghaffar
November 2020 Promotions
Congratulation to the cadets promoted in November:
Giavanna Bacon – Corporal
Chika Uzoeshi – Corporal
CONGRATULATION TO ALL CADETS FOR NOT GIVING UP LAST SPRING WHEN WE WERE FORCED TO MOVE
THE PROMOTION PROCESS TO THE ONLINE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!! Rather than complaining and feel sorry for
themselves, they banded together and helped each other navigate a system which seemed to change every
day. They exemplify the idea of TEAMWORK.
So what will happen this year? I wish I had a crystal ball and could predict the future, but I do not. I do know
that things are moving forward. We are making plans so that we will be able to execute when the opportunity
presents itself.
UNIFORMS: We will maintain the standard that a cadet mut have a 90% attendance rate, in ALL classes, for
one month, to earn the privilege of wearing the uniform. The 90% is based on the total number of classes
over a 4-week period divided by the number of unexcused absences. Being tardy to class counts the same as
being absent. If the school grants an excused absence, it is not counted against the cadet. It is important to
inform the school of any absences, or it will be listed as unexcused.
We have been given permission for students to come to school to be issued a uniform. Cadet’s coordinate
with their cadet leader for uniform issue. If a cadet misses or is late for the assigned time, he/she is placed on
the bottom of the list. There is a limited amount of time to issue clothing, so forgetting one’s appointment, or
deciding to do something else, hurts fellow cadets and their opportunity to pick up a uniform.
PROMOTIONS: Promotions will continue as in the past. The promotion of 9th graders is based strictly on
merits. Promotions of 10th and 11th grade cadets are based on merits up to the rank of Sergeant First Class
(SFC). At the end of the school year, 10th and 11th grade cadets are evaluated in the following areas to
determine their rank for the following year: ATTENDANCE, PHYSICAL FITNESS (using the President’s Physical
Test), ACADEMICS, JROTC GRADE, MERITS and DRILL AND CEREMONY.
MERIT OPPORTUNITIES: At the present time we are not allowed to conduct the traditional group activities
where cadets earn merits. In place of that we are allowing cadets to earn merits in the following ways:
- “Passport for Good’: Cadets earn community service hours as well as merits. More information can
be found at each LET classroom site. At the present time JROTC has the highest average number of hours for
all groups at Albany High School. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Attendance: Cadets earn merits monthly for attendance in all classes
- Quizzes via “Kahoot”: Several times a month we have JROTC knowledge quizzes using the Kahoot
platform.
- Cadet/NCO of the Month Boards: Thus far we have held two boards. All cadets who appear in front
of the board earn meets. The winner earns extra merits.
- Academics (Honor roll etc.): Merits are awarded at the end of each quarter when the school
announces those who earned academic honors
- Community/School Service: Cadets organize in groups of 5 or 6 and perform community service. An
example would be when several cadets, led by Daralyis Costellio-Torres conducted a police call of the SGT
Henry Johnson Park on SGT Henry Johnson Blvd.
- Cadet of the Month: Junior cadets are recommended by their chain of command to appear before
senior cadet leadership. Cadets are evaluated on JROTC knowledge, leadership and military customs and
courtesies. When not in the virtual environment marching abilities and physical fitness are also evaluated.
One cadet is selected per month. At the end of the year, cadets who were selected for “Cadet of the Month”
compete for cadet of the year.
COMPETITIONS:
- Drill and Raider Teams: At the present time no competitions are scheduled. This is subject to
change depending on Covid
- JLAB (JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl): We currently have two (2) teams in each category.
Team members are:
Academic Varsity Academic JV Leadership Varsity Leadership JV
* Tonema Mitra * Kevin Kam * Ian Keefe * Giavanna Bacon
Ange Abayisenga Snay Maung Seila Cates Darielys Carrasquillo-Torres
Goodness Akande Mary Minala Chesed Christian Solomonm Feroze
Mercy Akande Ananta Saha Sang Kes Ariana Lovett-Blackman
Alattia Meyers Randa Mohammed Josephine Pobee-Mensa Emily Wilson
Hser Wah Keziah Luzette Espina Sadaf Ahmadi
* Team Captain
- Brigade Academic Competition: The competition is scheduled for April. At the present time it is
virtual. More information will be posted.
MILITARY BALL: In the past this was scheduled for March. If we are able to conduct one this year it will be in
late April or May.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: We are hopeful that the Parade will happen his year. The scheduled date is
Monday 31 May.
PHYSICAL FITNESS CHALLANGE: Scheduled for May. Date to be determined
JROTC CADET LEADERSHIP CHALLANGE, (JCLC): Commonly referred to as summer camp. The good news is
that it has not been canceled. Tentative dates are 27 June thru 1 July. Once I have more definitive
information, I will post it.
SCHOLARSHIPS: There are numerous college scholarships available thru the military. Being a JROTC cadet
does not guarantee a scholarship, but it is a definite help. We (1SG Reome and myself) are more than willing
to help cadets navigate through the process. In addition, there are several local scholarships only available to
Albany High JROTC cadets. Below ae the links to ROTC and Military Academy Scholarships:
Army ROTC: https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/high-school-students/four-year-scholarship.html
Air Force ROTC: https://www.afrotc.com/
Navy/ ROTC: https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/
Marine ROTC: https://www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/officer/nrotc-scholarships.html
United States Military Academy at West Point (Army): https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions
Naval Academy at Annapolis: https://www.usna.edu/homepage.php
United States Air Force Academy: https://www.academyadmissions.com/
If you are thinking about applying for one of the above scholarships the time to start planning is now. If you
are in 11th grade the application process will open after the first of the year. If you are in 12 th grade, the
window is almost closed.
I am willing to hold an information night for parent(s)/guardian(s), (virtual and/or in person) if one person is
interested. Please email me and I will make plans for such an event. In addition, we will hold information
session for cadets. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me.
CADETS IN THE NEWS:
Nevaeh Boyd: Nevaeh was selected to represent Albany High for the “Daughters of the American Revolution”
award
Chika Uzoeshi: Chika was selected as the Cadet of the Month” for October.
Giavanna Bacon: This past fall Giavanna was spotlighted in the District paper. In addition, she was selected as
“Cadet of the Month” for November.
SOCIAL MEDIA: A reminder that we have a website at http://albanyhighjrotc.weebly.com/newsletters.html
and a Facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/albanyhighjrotc
In closing I want to say how proud we are of the resilience the cadets have shown during this most difficult
time. TEAMWORK is the key to our success. While the news of the day might not always be the most
enlightening, the future is bright. So long as we keep that in mind, we will move continue to move forward.
Our nation has faced difficult times before, so perhaps we can learn from the words of some of the leaders of
the past who led us through those very difficult ties.
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
― John F. Kennedy
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he
stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Martian Luther King
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Keep well and safe.
David Erickson
Major (retired)
Senior Army Instructor
FALL 2020 PHOTOS
GOLD STAR MOTHERS CEREMONY, 11 NOVEMBER
8 November, VanVechten Street Park Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony
NORTH ALBANY EVETERAN MEMORIAL SERVICE, 1 NOVEMBER
