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NJROTC
Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) is a leadership and character development program offered at La Habra High School with no military obligation after graduation. Cadets learn from retired military instructors in small groups, focusing on leadership, citizenship, military drill, and marksmanship. They take field trips, compete with other units, and serve their school and community. Cadets wear a uniform once a week and follow Navy grooming standards on that day. The program teaches Navy core values—honor, courage, and commitment—and promotes integrity and academic success. Students also have access to exclusive scholarships and career resources. NJROTC fulfills Physical Education credit with fitness activities on Thursdays and Fridays. Cadets end each class with: "Better, Stronger, Safer, Smarter...CAN DO!"
Meet the Instructors
CDR Rob Ballister, CEC, USN (ret)
CDR Rob Ballister is a retired US Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer with significant construction management and facility engineering experience. He most recently served at the major staff level in Washington, DC. Prior to that, his previous tour was as an instructor at the United States Naval Academy, where he taught leadership, weapons systems, and basic engineering. CDR Ballister retired in June of 2014 and is using both his technical and instructor skills as a Senior Naval Science Instructor in the Navy Junior ROTC program. His first job was at Deptford High School in Deptford, NJ. After four wonderful years there, for family reasons he moved on to the SNSI job at La Habra High School in La Habra, CA.
CDR Ballister graduated the United States Naval Academy in 1994, is a registered professional engineer, and has a masters degree in Civil Engineering. He has had numerous construction management and public works tours during the course of his career, and has deployed twice with the Navy Seabees.
He is also an award-winning author. His book, God Does Have A Sense Of Humor, received the 2007 Military Writers’ Society of America Gold Medal for Humor, and he was honored with the President's Award from that organization in 2009 for his service to the organization.
CDR Ballister is married, with two young children.
Contact:
Phone: (562) 266-5051
Email: rballister@fjuhsd.org
Master Gunnery Sgt Darin White, USMC (ret)
MGySgt Darin White is a retired US Marine Communications Chief with tremendous experience in communications planning, management, implementation support and troubleshooting. His last assignment was the Communications Chief for Communications Company, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force aboard Camp Pendleton, CA. Prior to that, he was the Communications Chief of 5th Marine Infantry Regiment, 1st Marine Division, III MEF. Upon retiring from active duty in September 2017, MGySgt White initially worked as a home security technician and later as a General Motors car salesman prior to becoming a Naval Science Instructor at La Habra High School.
MGySgt White enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1992 and became a field radio operator. MGySgt White served as an embassy guard at American Embassy Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti as well as American Embassy Lima, Peru. He participated in two-unit deployments to Okinawa, Japan and has three combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, he has an Associate of Science degree in Management.
MGySgt White is married with one child.
Contact:
Phone: (266) 562-5051
Email: dwhite@fjuhsd.org
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Interested in NJROTC?
Contact Us
CDR Rob Ballister, CEC, USN (ret)
Senior Naval Science Instructor/Dept Chair
rballister@fjuhsd.org
Master Gunnery Sgt Darin White, USMC (ret)
Naval Science Instructor
dwhite@fjuhsd.org
NJROTC FAQ
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Talk to your counselor, talk to a cadet, or email CDR Ballister (rballister@fjuhsd.org).
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Talk to your counselor, talk to a cadet, or email CDR Ballister (rballister@fjuhsd.org).
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Talk to your counselor, talk to a cadet, or email CDR Ballister (rballister@fjuhsd.org).
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Talk to your counselor, talk to a cadet, or email CDR Ballister (rballister@fjuhsd.org)
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You may join at any time. All first year cadets take class together, regardless of academic year.
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Absolutely not. Cadets are in no way obligated or required to enter military service upon graduation.
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Absolutely not. Cadets are in no way obligated or required to enter military service upon graduation.
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NJROTC recognizes that athletes are providing service to the school, and that being a high school athlete takes a lot of time. We are happy to have you in class, will work around your schedule to fulfill your cadet obligations, and hope that when your season is over you will be able to participate outside of just your scheduled class
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There is a nominal activity fee at the beginning of the year. All uniform items are provided for free, though a cadet may have to replace them at cost if they are lost or damaged (other than routine wear and tear). Field trips may cost something extra, depending on how successful fundraising efforts are but every effort is made to keep costs down.
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La Habra High School wants every student to be part of one of the many fine programs here. While it is not an Academy in the same vein as FPFA, it does count as a program.
