Indian origin teen Riddhi Chauhan leads 300 cadets in prestigious US Navy programme
Seventeen-year-old Indian-origin student Riddhi Chauhan has earned one of the highest leadership roles in the United States Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC), serving as Battalion Commanding Officer at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, New York. In this role, she leads nearly 300 cadets, overseeing training, battalion operations, and student welfare while balancing her academic responsibilities.
Riddhi's journey through the programme included serving as Academic Commander, STEM Commander, Platoon Leader, and Inspection Commander. She helped her school's team excel in national academic competitions and led the development of the unit's first SeaPerch underwater robot.
Over the years, she has also mentored more than 200 cadets, demonstrating strong leadership and commitment. The daughter of Ruchika and Dilip Chauhan, whose family traces its roots to Jaipur, Rajasthan, Riddhi is now preparing to join the Naval Academy Preparatory School, a pathway to the prestigious United States Naval Academy.
She credits her leadership values to discipline, service, and cultural teachings, saying true leadership is measured by the positive impact one has on others. Her achievement highlights the growing contributions of the Indian diaspora in global leadership and public service.
