"This is a great honor for Annapolis High School and especially for this program," Annapolis High School Principal Don Lilley said. "We are very proud of these students and of the outstanding way in which they represent our school every day." Annapolis High NJROTC offers a diverse yet balanced mix of activities designed to attract and retain a wide range of cadets. The program, which has approximately 100 cadets this year, serves the school's mission to get students involved in the school and the community, and to help them develop and hone skills that will help them succeed in life. The unit is highly regarded, sets a benchmark for excellence, and continues to produce outstanding young leaders and citizens who serve as excellent role models within the school community and graduate to serve as responsible and productive members of society. It has received Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors recognition from the Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, for the last nine consecutive years. The unit has also consistently been ranked among the top 20 percent of units nationwide. "NJROTC is a citizenship program designed to help students to remain in school, graduate, and become responsible citizens," said Cmdr. Royal W. Connell, who is in charge of Annapolis' unit. "For active cadets, the greatest benefit of the NJROTC program is personal growth and development, and the opportunity to realize untapped potential." Junior ROTC Units for all the military services were authorized by Congress in 1964. The Navy has NJROTC units in schools throughout the United States, Guam, Spain, and Italy. Annapolis NJROTC was established in 1993 as the only Navy unit in Anne Arundel County.