Pinellas Park High To Get Nation's 3rd Coast Guard JROTC Program

PINELLAS PARK, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to launch a Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Pinellas Park High School, only the third such program in the country.

U.S Rep. Charlie Crist, who represents Pinellas County, announced the new program at the high school, which already has a first responders program and a criminal justice magnet program.

“Pinellas County is incredibly proud to be home to one of the largest hubs of United States Coast Guard commands, where over a thousand brave Coasties serve their country, protect our waterways, and keep Pinellas County residents safe,” Crist said. “I can think of no better location for the next Coast Guard JROTC program than our very own Pinellas Park High School. I thank the Coast Guard for their continued commitment to our community, and look forward to seeing the nation’s third-ever Coast Guard JROTC stationed in Pinellas.”

Crist, D-St. Petersburg, sponsored legislation in September 2019 calling for the creation of a USCG JROTC in Pinellas. That led to a provision in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act authorizing the creation of Coast Guard JROTC available to schools across the country. Previously, U.S. Coast Guard JROTC programs could only be established through acts of Congress.

“Pinellas County Schools is honored to be awarded a United States Coast Guard JROTC program at Pinellas Park High School," Pinellas Schools Superintendent Mike Grego said. "As one of only three such programs in the nation, we are thrilled to be able to offer this leadership opportunity to the students of our district. Thank you to Congressman Crist, Admiral Schultz, Principal Patterson, CTAE Executive Director Mark Hunt, and everyone involved for their efforts to bring this prestigious program to Pinellas County.”

The other two Coast Guard JROTC programs are at the Maritime and Science Technology Academy in Miami and Camden County/CamTech High School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Pinellas County is home to the nation’s largest Coast Guard air station, Air Station Clearwater.