Navy JROTC Students In Escambia County Ordered to Stop Wearing Uniforms, Gear

March 14, 2026

Members of the Navy JROTC at high schools in Escambia County are being told not to wear their uniforms, gear, or  any other NJROTC clothing on or off campus for now. The order from the NJROTC comes after a gunman opened fire in an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia on Thursday, killing an instructor and injuring two others.

Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard said the directive came directly from the Navy, and Escambia County schools, including Northview, will comply.

Two ROTC programs in Escambia high schools are affiliated with other branches of service. Tate High School has an Army ROTC program, while Pensacola High School has an Air Force unit.

Leonard said the district is staying in contact with the Army and Air Force ROTC commands for any possible directives, but as of Friday evening nothing had been issued.

The superintendent noted that next week is Spring Break for Escambia schools.

Pictured: A recent NJROTC Annual Military Inspection at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Navy JROTC Students In Escambia County Ordered to Stop Wearing Uniforms, Gear”

  1. Just Saying on March 16th, 2026 2:44 pm

    @Dee,

    What are you referring to?

    @D. Flowers,

    That decision should not rest with the students or parents. Just as sure as they decided that it was ok to wear the uniform, something would happen and they’d sue the Navy for not telling them not to wear it

  2. Wiggin, G on March 14th, 2026 11:23 pm

    Well done looking out for the next generation! The Air Force has forbidden walking off base in any Air Force uniform or branded clothes/bags. Due to the potential risk it puts us in. Hopefully Tate follows this idea as well, I have good friends in their AJROTC that I would hate for something to happen to them.

  3. D. Flowers on March 14th, 2026 3:47 pm

    Let the decision rest with the NJROTC students or parents. Let’s not let them chase us into an overabundance of an abundance of cautions. Don’t bend a knee to terrorists.

  4. Teresa A Comparetta on March 14th, 2026 9:42 am

    Wise decision looking out for the ROTC young leaders

  5. Dee on March 14th, 2026 9:21 am

    The core values of the Navy are honor, courage and commitment. Just thought I’d point that out. Seems the higher ups need reminding.





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News