Naval Science is a signature program that all students in 8th-12th grade (known as cadets) participate in.
Admiral Farragut Academy is a United States Naval Honor school — so designated by an Act of Congress and re-accredited each year by the Department of the Navy.
Benefits of Attending a Naval Honor School
- Exceptional leadership training and experience if a student is selected to serve on the Regimental Staff.
- Extracurricular programs like Drill Team, Color Guard, and Academic Teams compete regularly in statewide competitions and are well known for their dedication and excellence.
- Teamwork skills and personal growth.
- ROTC college scholarships.
Our cadets may receive nominations and appointments to Naval (or another service) Academies. Every year, the Senior Naval Science Instructor in charge of our Naval Science program has the authority each year to make the following senior nominations:
- 3 nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy
- 3 nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy
- 3 nominations to the U.S. West Point
Normally, to receive an offer of appointment to the Naval (or another service) Academy, an applicant must obtain a nomination from an official source such as a U.S. Representative, two U.S. Senators, and the Vice President of the United States, who are only permitted to nominate a few students each year from their entire state. Thus, the chance to be nominated by our Senior Naval Science Instructor–from only a pool of other qualified Admiral Farragut students–is an outstanding advantage for those students interested in pursuing a service college career.
What is the interview and selection process to be a leader on the regiment at Farragut?
The interview is done with a quorum of the school’s staff. The Commandant convenes the board, and cadets are interviewed and questioned by the quorum. The cadets’ past record is considered as well as their potential for future leadership within the Admiral Farragut Academy Corps of Cadets.
The roles and responsibilities for those in top leadership positions on the regiment are:
- Regimental Commander (RC): Senior leader responsible for the overall functioning of the regiment.
- Chief of Staff: Second in command on the regiment and implements the regimental commander’s intent.
- Battalion Commanders (BC): Lead their battalions as directed by the Chief of Staff and provides direction from the regimental commander. There are three different battalion groups: Alpha Battalion, Bravo Battalion, and Charlie Battalion.
What is the day in the life of a leader on the regiment?
BUSY! The regimental leadership is expected to lead by example from the way they keep their room to the way they present themselves in uniform. The regimental leadership team is held to a very high standard, and nothing but the best is expected or tolerated.
Farragut Chain of Command and Leadership Positions Available to Upper School Cadets
Regimental Staff: Top Cadet Positions
- Regimental Commander
- Regimental Chief of Staff
- Regimental Operations Officer
- Regimental Administration Officer
- Regimental Logistics Officer
- Regimental Ordnance Officer
- Regimental Supply Officer
- Regimental Training Officer
- Regimental Public Affairs Officer
- Regimental Master Chief Petty Officer
Alpha Battalion
- Alpha Battalion Commander
- Alpha Battalion Executive Officer
- Alpha Battalion Chief
- 1st Company Commander
- 1st Company Chief
- 1st Company Guidon
- 2nd Company Commander
- 2nd Company Chief
- 2nd Company Guidon
Bravo Battalion
- Bravo Battalion Commander
- Bravo Battalion Executive Officer
- Bravo Battalion Chief
- 3rd Company Commander
- 3rd Company Chief
- 3rd Company Guidon
- 4th Company Commander
- 4th Company Chief
- 4th Company Guidon
Charlie Battalion
- Charlie Battalion Commander
- Charlie Battalion Executive Officer
- Charlie Battalion Chief
- 5th Company Commander
- 5th Company Chief
- 5th Company Guidon
- 6th Company Commander
- 6th Company Chief
- 6th Company Guidon
NJROTC Teams
- Drill Team Commanders
- Armed
- Unarmed
- Color Guard Team Commander
- SeaPerch Team Commander
- Co-Commander
- Orienteering Team Commander
- Co-Commander
- Athletics Team Commander
- Co-Commander
- Academics Team Commander
- Co-Commander
- Marksmanship Team Commander
- Co-Commander
Cadet Promotion and Title Meanings
- E-1: Ensign
- E-2: Cadet Seaman Apprentice
- E-3: Cadet Seaman
- E-4: Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class
- E-5: Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class
- E-6: Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class
- E-7: Cadet Chief Petty Officer
- E-8: Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer
- E-9: Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer
Our officer ranks are from O1-O5
- O-1: Ensign
- O-2: Lieutenant Junior Grade
- O-3: Lieutenant
- O-4: Lieutenant Commander
- O-5: Commander
The Radford Star
The Radford Star Award recognizes outstanding cadets who have excelled in academics, extracurricular activities, deportment, drill, and seamanship. It is the single highest honor a cadet can receive at the Academy. Cadets qualify for a period of one marking period and are awarded 3 stars to wear on their uniform.
The Radford Star Award was established in 1960 and is named for the late Brigadier General Cyrus S. Radford, USMC, who was the first Superintendent of Admiral Farragut Academy. In order to qualify for the Radford Star, cadets must receive all A’s, have zero disciplinary issues, volunteer a minimum number of community service hours, have at least their Qualified Boat Handler waterfront qualification, and be involved in the AFA community through sports, clubs or drill.
Basic Naval Science Jargon
The ones we use the most at Admiral Farragut Academy are in bold.
AFT: Pertaining to the back or the stern of the ship, aircraft, or compartment.
AT EASE: Position of rest from attention. Command to “calm down!”
ATTENTION ON DECK: Response by a junior when a senior officer enters the room.
AYE, AYE: Response signifying order is heard, understood and will be carried out.
BELAY: To secure or make fast. To stop what you are doing.
BELOW: Downward; below decks; downstairs.
BULKHEAD: Wall.
BY YOUR LEAVE “SIR or MA’AM”: Request to pass by while walking or request to leave the room.
CARRY ON: Order to resume previous activity, usually after cadets have come to attention.
CHIT: Short note, usually a special request.
DECK: A floor of a ship or compartment.
GALLEY: Kitchen.
GANGWAY: Passage along side of upper deck of ship. Also said to get people out of the way.
GRINDER: Refers to an area used for formations and marching. It is usually hard surface concrete or asphalt.
At Admiral Farragut Academy, we have an East and West Grinder on each side of Farragut Hall, where we hold morning formations and assemble prior to going to the parade field. Our Drill Team practices on the grinder. It relates closely to “grinding” where you grind off the rough edges of an object. Also a person called a “grinder” is one who works hard to overcome obstacles just like a drill team would practice to perfect their performance.
HEAD: Toilet and washroom; bathroom.
LADDER: Stairs.
MESS: Dining facility.
OVERHEAD: The ceiling of a compartment viewed from the inside.
POLICE: To inspect and clean up.
PORT: Directional term for left (facing forward on the ship or boat).
QUARTERDECK: Ceremonial area, kept especially neat and clean.
“In port, the quarterdeck is the most important place on the ship, and is the central control point for all its major activities. Underway, its importance diminishes as control of the ship is transferred to the bridge. The quarterdeck is normally on the main deck, but may be elsewhere in some types of ship. It is usually marked off by special lines, deck markings, decorative cartridge cases, or fancy knotwork. Special attention is paid to the quarterdeck’s cleanliness and physical appearance. Those standing watch on the quarterdeck must be in the uniform of the day and present a smart appearance at all times. Personnel not in the uniform of the day generally avoid crossing the quarterdeck unless their work requires it. On ships with a well-defined quarterdeck area, uniformed personnel should salute when they enter it. Smoking and recreational activities are prohibited on the quarterdeck unless specially authorized by the commanding officer.”
At Admiral Farragut, the Quarterdeck is at the entry to Farragut Hall. It is decorated very much in the same style as on a Navy ship. When cadets are standing duty at the quarterdeck, they are in the uniform of the day and they greet all visitors by coming to attention and calling out “Attention on Deck!”
RACK: A bed.
SECURE: To make fast in a permanent sense. To cease or stop.
SCUTTLEBUTT: Ship’s drinking fountain. Slang for rumor.
STARBOARD: Directional term for right (facing forward on the ship or boat).
TAPS: Bugle call sounded at night to put out lights and retire, also used at service member funerals and memorial services.
VERY GOOD or VERY WELL: Response by a senior to a junior in response to a report.
Who Participates
- All Upper School students in grades 8-12 are required to participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program and are referred to as “cadets”.
- K-5th grade students are not involved in any naval training.
- 6th and 7th graders do have the option to begin an introduction into Naval Pride and Tradition as an extracurricular activity.
Cadet Involvement and Opportunities
- Wear the Uniform Properly: All cadets are required to wear Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps uniforms called NSU or Peanut Butters and Salt & Peppers.
- Physical Train and Drill: Cadets are required to participate in drill practice and march in school parades. This develops discipline, teamwork, attention to detail, and perseverance.
- Learn How to Sail: All cadets are required to earn their Qualified Boat Handlers (QBH) certification by graduation.
- Naval Science Courses: In addition to general coursework, cadets are encouraged to take Naval Science I, II, III, and IV courses to learn about naval history, seamanship, navigation, and more.
- Become a Leader on the Regiment: Cadets who aspire to lead have the opportunity to take on positions of leadership and increased responsibility within the Regiment.
- Extracurriculars: Drill Team, Color Guard, Sailing
Naval Science & Leadership
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