Holtsville, NY – April 5, 2007.  C/Major James A. Ridley II has accepted a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship to Syracuse University.  Cadet Ridley will enter the university in September 2007 as a member of the 89th freshman class in the Stalwart Battalion’s history.  Cadet Ridley also received four other Army 4-year ROTC scholarships: the University of Southern Alabama, Hofstra University, Fordham University and the University of North Carolina.  

Ridley is currently the cadet commander of the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron located in Patchogue, Long Island and is a senior at Sachem East High School in Farmingville.  He will be entering Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in History.  Upon his eventual commissioning with the class of 2011, C/Major Ridley would like to become an officer in either the signal corps or aviation branch.
 
Along with his squadron command duties, Ridley serves as the Vice Chairman of the Long Island Group Cadet Advisory Council (CAC) and the Group’s primary representative to the New York Wing CAC.  He has received the Community Service ribbon, the Find ribbon and was honored as the Long Island Group Cadet NCO of the Year in 2005 and Cadet of the Year in 2006.  Before his CAP cadet career comes to an end he hopes to earn the Spaatz Achievement and become a C/Colonel.  “I’m really looking forward to attending SU, it’s been my life-long dream” Ridley commented “earning my commission in the army is icing on the cake and fulfills another goal of mine.”