Rear Admiral (lower half) Matthew Pottenburgh, Commander of Naval Service Training Command, visited the Marine Academy of Science and Technology’s Navy Junior ROTC unit at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. September 16, and toured the campus before meeting with cadets.
After touring the historic campus, Battalion Commander Nicholas Billows, Oakhurst, briefed the admiral on MAST students’ accomplishments, including their outstanding academic achievements, thousands of community service hours, and the high number of graduates earning appointments to federal service academies and ROTC scholarships.
Rear Admiral Pottenburgh, who oversees Recruit Training Command, Officer Training Command, NROTC, and NJROTC, was accompanied by NJROTC Area 2 Manager retired Navy Commander Eric Humphreys, and Command Master Chief Andrew Hochgraver, the senior enlisted leader of Naval Service Training Command.
Welcomed by all 276 cadets of the MAST unit, the Admiral described it as “one of the most prestigious units in the country.” He specifically praised the 7,180 community service hours performed by cadets during the 2024–2025 school year, and he commended the supportive MCVSD board, school administration, and Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
The visit included a lively question-and-answer session. Cadets asked about the admiral’s career as a P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon pilot, as well as about the NROTC scholarship program and federal service academies. Rear Admiral Pottenburgh, an NROTC graduate of Ohio State University, shared both personal experiences and official guidance with students considering military service.
The Admiral also presented the Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors ribbon to MAST for the 41st consecutive year. This recognition, awarded to only the top 10% of over 600 NJROTC units worldwide, reflects excellence in graduation rates, academic achievement, and participation in NJROTC events.
In addition, several cadets received individual honors:
- Cadets of the Quarter (Q4, 2024–2025): Daniel Chiu (Edison) and Abigail Reilley (Little Silver)
- Honor Cadet Ribbons (highest Naval Science grades): Leila Brown (Manalapan), Nicholas Amey (Keansburg), and Nicholas Billows (Oakhurst)
- Top Community Service Hours: Juliet Ginda (Middletown, 113 hours), Zachary Clifton (Lake Como, 124.5 hours), and Radhika Sandeep (Marlboro, 119 hours)
- Highest Cumulative Academic Achievement: Andrew Viggiano (Ocean), Nia Suresh (Ocean), and Quinn Pappas (Tinton Falls)
The Marine Academy of Science and Technology is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District. For more information, https://www.mast.mcvsd.org/o/mast
Information for this news release was provided by NJROTC Cadet Laila Caramanica of Ocean Township
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