Commander Stephen Kosloski aims to expand the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps program to offer students more training and experience
MTHS’s new Naval Science Instructor for the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program Commander Stephen Kosloski
Cape May Court House, N.J. – Middle Township Public Schools welcomed Commander Stephen Kosloski as the high school’s new Naval Science Instructor for the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program. Kosloski, a Middle Township High School alumnus, has a distinguished Naval career, bringing extensive knowledge and experience to the program.
Kosloski is eager to provide cadets in the NNDCC leadership and character development program with more opportunities for training and experience. One priority is converting the program’s status to a full NJROTC to access military funding. Kosloski also aims to expand extracurricular activities and cadet participation in events.
NNDCC: Character in action
Veterans Day is always an ideal time for cadets to showcase their skills. Kosloski organized several pre-holiday activities, including a Color Guard performance at a veterans town hall in Avalon conducted by U.S. Sen. Andy Kim.
NNDCC will play a role in a Middle Township High School ceremony for veterans held at the Performing Arts Center on Nov. 10. A cadet will read her essay submission from last year’s VFW Patriots Pen contest at the event. On Nov. 11, the cadets will be at the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery to participate in Color Guard and assist with usher duties.
Later this month, on Nov. 22, an NNDCC unit will participate in its first drill competition in more than two years at Kingsway Regional High School in Swedesboro.
“The program develops character and discipline in the cadets,” said Kosloski. “We try to let the cadets run the program, with supervision of course, so they can slowly build up the responsibilities they each have and teach accountability. In addition, I am working to integrate the Medal of Honor Society’s Character Development Curriculum into our program to further expose them to not just good character traits, but to examples that personify them.”
Distinguished military background
After graduating from MTHS, Kosloski attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., earning a bachelor’s degree in oceanography. He later graduated from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., with a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies.
Over his Naval career, Kosloski served aboard four ships in deck and engineering roles, including as chief engineer, and completed multiple deployments to the Middle East in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
He later served in leadership and staff positions at U.S. Pacific Fleet, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and the U.S. Military Training Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before commanding the Navy Operational Support Center Avoca in Pennsylvania. His final tour was as Executive Officer and Associate Professor of Naval Science at the Navy ROTC Maryland Consortium.
Kosloski has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (seven gold stars), and Navy Achievement Medal (three gold stars), among numerous unit and campaign honors.
In the private sector, Kosloski has worked in the maritime industry in a variety of roles, including as a deckhand for Moran Tugboat in Baltimore, doing winter maintenance for the historic sailing vessel A.J. Meerwald in Port Norris, and as the sailing director at the Avalon Yacht Club.
Outside of work, Kosloski enjoys spending time with his wife, Natalie, and their son who attends the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass.
“Stephen Kosloski has an accomplished Naval career, and we are excited for him to share his experience and education with our students, and broaden our Navy National Defense Cadet Corps program,” said Dr. Sharon Rementer, principal at Middle Township High School. “In addition, we are thrilled to welcome a Middle Township High School alum to our Panther family.”