Gear Up Surplus Supports 2026 Cadet of Excellence Scholarship for Local JROTC Students

Gear Up Surplus helped support the 2026 Cadet of Excellence Scholarship, recognizing Addison Ohlinger, Makenzie Cope, and Haleigh Ruggles for leadership, discipline, and service.

Gear Up Surplus was proud to help support the 2026 Cadet of Excellence Scholarship through the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizing three outstanding local JROTC students for their leadership, discipline, character, and commitment to service.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, three North Brevard JROTC cadets were awarded $1,000 scholarships as part of this year’s Cadet of Excellence recognition. Students were considered from Astronaut High School, Titusville High School, and Space Coast High School.

This year’s Cadet of Excellence Scholarship recipients were:

• Addison Ohlinger
• Makenzie Cope
• Haleigh Ruggles

Two of this year’s recipients were from Space Coast High School, and one recipient was from Astronaut High School.

Recognizing Leadership, Discipline, and Service

JROTC programs play an important role in helping young men and women develop leadership skills, discipline, responsibility, confidence, and a strong sense of service. These qualities matter in every path a student may choose, whether that path leads to college, military service, public safety, trade school, business, or another form of leadership in the community.

The Cadet of Excellence Scholarship was created to recognize students who demonstrate those values.

At Gear Up Surplus, we have always respected the commitment shown by cadets, service members, veterans, first responders, and those who prepare themselves to serve others. Supporting local JROTC students is a natural extension of that mission.

A Community Effort to Invest in Local Students

This year’s scholarship awards were made possible through the support of multiple local businesses and community contributors.

Each participating contributor provided $1,000, helping award three $1,000 scholarships to deserving JROTC cadets.

The 2026 contributors included:

• Gear Up Surplus
• 5 Cedar Technologies
• GEICO Local Insurance – Kyle Bradfield
• Orleans Restaurant Group

Together, these local businesses helped recognize students from JROTC programs across North Brevard and invest directly in the next generation of leaders.

Community partners, Chamber representatives, and 2026 Cadet of Excellence Scholarship recipients gathered to recognize local JROTC students from North Brevard.

Why JROTC Matters to Our Community

JROTC is about more than uniforms, drills, or ceremonies. At its best, JROTC helps students build habits that can serve them for life: accountability, teamwork, attention to detail, confidence, respect, and a willingness to take responsibility.

Those lessons are valuable far beyond high school.

Communities are strengthened when young people are encouraged to lead with character and serve with purpose. Programs like JROTC give students a foundation that can help them become stronger citizens, professionals, service members, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

That is why Gear Up Surplus believes this scholarship is worth supporting.

Thank You to the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce

Gear Up Surplus would like to thank the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce for helping bring local businesses, schools, and students together through programs that support education, leadership, and community development.

The Cadet of Excellence Scholarship is a meaningful example of how local partnerships can make a direct impact. When businesses invest in students, they are also investing in the future of the Space Coast.

Congratulations to the 2026 Cadet of Excellence Recipients

Congratulations again to Addison Ohlinger, Makenzie Cope, and Haleigh Ruggles.

Your leadership, discipline, and commitment to service are worth celebrating. Gear Up Surplus is honored to play a small role in recognizing your achievements and supporting your next step.

Gear Up Surplus: Supporting Service, Preparedness, and Community

Gear Up Surplus continues to serve customers online with military surplus, tactical gear, duty gear, survival supplies, outdoor gear, and emergency preparedness products.

From veterans and first responders to JROTC cadets, security professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and prepared families, Gear Up Surplus remains committed to serving those who value readiness, service, and responsibility.

When you shop with Gear Up Surplus, you are supporting a local business that believes in service, preparedness, patriotism, and investing back into the community.

Visit GearUpSurplus.com to shop military surplus, tactical gear, duty gear, survival supplies, and emergency preparedness products online.

Gear Up Surplus and 5 Cedar Technologies were proud to help support this year’s Cadet of Excellence Scholarship, recognizing local JROTC students for leadership, discipline, and service.