Dalton, GA — The Dalton Academy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) has once again proven its dedication and commitment to excellence by maintaining its prestigious Honor Unit with Distinction (HUD) Gold Star” for another three years during the triennial JROTC Program for Accreditation (JPA) inspection. This recognition, awarded by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, is the highest accolade a JROTC unit can achieve and reflects exceptional performance in leadership, training, and community involvement.
The HUD star is granted following a rigorous formal inspection process, which assesses various aspects of the JROTC program, including: Continuous Improvement Plan Presentation (prepared and presented by the cadet leaders), Service- Learning Project Presentation (prepared and presented by non-cadet leaders, Color Guard Performance, Drill Team Performance, Cadet Portfolios and Interviews, Instructor Portfolios and Interviews, JROTC Logistic and Supply Room inspection, and overall unit operations. Units must meet or exceed high standards to retain this status, and Dalton Academy’s JROTC did just that Thursday, April 10, 2025.
“Our cadets have worked extremely hard all year,” said Captain (Ret) Bill Jinright, Senior Army Instructor at Dalton Academy. “Earning and maintaining the Honor Unit with Distinction is not easy—it takes discipline, teamwork, and a genuine passion for leadership and service. I couldn’t be prouder of our students.”
The program had been a cornerstone of student development at Dalton High School from August 2003 through July 2024 and now the Dalton Academy, emphasizing values such as leadership, responsibility, citizenship, life-skills, and academic achievement. Cadets participate in community service events, leadership training camps, physical fitness challenges, co-curricular activities, and classroom instruction on military history, civics, and personal development.
First Sergeant (Retired) Dr. Eugene Jackson, who has participated in numerous Dalton JROTC program JPA inspections, stated, “ this was the most challenging one of all, but our cadets persevered, stayed the course, and finished the job as one gritty team”!
Cadet Battalion Commander Sergio Diaz, a senior at Dalton High School, spoke about the honor: "This recognition means a lot to us. It is more than just a yellow star; it shows how determined and hardworking the team is, even in the face of difficulties. We were able to build on the work from previous years leadership to accomplish this and that is something to be proud of. We are honored to start the Dalton Academy on a strong foundation for JROTC. Lastly, I would like to thank our SAI, CPT (R) Bill Jinright, and AI, 1SG (R) Eugene Jackson, for believing in us, even when we did not have confidence in our hearts."
The Honor Unit with Distinction designation also allows the Senior Army Instructor to nominate candidates to the military service academies, an opportunity only granted to the top-tier JROTC units nationwide.
The Dalton Academy JROTC Cadre and Cadets would like to thank the Dalton Academy and Dalton High School Administrators, Staff, and special thanks to Dr. Doug Shults, Coach Jeffrey Hutchinson, and Coach Sidney Swantic.
With continued dedication from both instructors and cadets, the Dalton Academy JROTC program is poised to remain a model of excellence and leadership for years to come.
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