Zach McNitt, a 2018 graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School (EAHS) who is currently serving as an aviation boatswain's mate handler 1st class in the United States Navy aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, recently returned to his alma mater to speak with and answer questions from members of EAHS' Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program.

McNitt, whose honors in his military career include being named the Sailor of the Year on his ship, shared insights into his experiences with deployments, naval ranks, life on board a ship, and the importance of continued education. His visit aligns with the Elizabethtown Area School District's Life Ready Model, which seeks to prepare students for success in both their personal and professional lives.

The NNDCC program is offered on a limited basis and is the precursor to the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program. The Elizabethtown Area School District is one of only a handful of schools in the commonwealth to be able to offer the NNDCC program. The NNDCC program is designed to expand students' opportunities to gain the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

The NNDCC is for ninth- through 12th-grade students considering an career in the armed forces. It includes a four-course curriculum covering civics, national security, oceanography, and technology. This classroom curriculum combines various yearlong leadership, community service, and military-connected activities.