Who is Riddhi Chauhan? Indian-American teen commands 300 US Navy cadets

PTC News Desk: A 17-year-old student from New York, Riddhi Chauhan, has become the Battalion Commanding Officer of her school's Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) unit, the highest student leadership position in the programme. She now leads nearly 300 fellow cadets at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens.

Four days a week, Riddhi reaches school before 7 am to conduct drill practice before beginning her regular classes. Along with her studies, she manages battalion operations, training and the welfare of cadets.

The NJROTC is a US Navy-backed leadership programme in American high schools that focuses on building discipline, teamwork and leadership skills. Riddhi said she joined the programme to improve her leadership abilities and contribute to her school, which later inspired her to pursue a career as a Naval Officer.

Over the years, she held several leadership positions, including Academic Commander, STEM Commander, Platoon Leader and Inspection Commander. As Academic Commander, she helped her school's team qualify for the second round of the Leadership and Academic Bowl for two consecutive years and secure first place in a national academic competition. As STEM Commander, she led cadets in building the unit's first SeaPerch underwater robot.

Riddhi has also mentored more than 200 cadets during her time in the programme.

She says her leadership style has been influenced by the teachings of BAPS Swaminarayan spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj and her involvement in the organisation's youth programmes.

Looking back on her journey, Riddhi said she has learned that true leadership is about making a positive difference in the lives of others, staying consistent during challenges and growing by stepping outside one's comfort zone. She also described her Sail Training experience in Newport, Rhode Island, as one of the most valuable parts of her journey.