The “outstanding” rating earned this spring by Port Arthur Memorial High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps doesn’t guarantee academic, military or personal success of students enrolled in the program.

But it sure helps point participants in that direction.

That rating suggests students are serious about knowledge and skills the program teaches as well as about their grades.

It’s the third time the high school and the cadets have achieved that rating under Chief John Martin’s command, and he and his young charges have ample reason to be proud.

Memorial’s is one of almost 600 NJROTC programs across the country, which enrolled 88,719 students nationally in 2017. The programs, generally taught by retired or eligible reserve officers from the Navy, Marines or Coast Guard, encourage post-secondary education, military service and patriotism.

NJROTC doesn’t require military service but it exposes high school students to what’s good about military service, which is a lot. The program encourages qualities like citizenship and leadership, but also offers curriculum that includes maritime heritage, sea power significance and navigation, an NJROTC website says.

By program’s end, successful students are more patriotic and informed citizens who respect authority and have heightened senses of honor, self-reliance and discipline.

Some successful NJROTC students — almost half — join the military. About three-fifths go to higher education.

Most are better behaved, avoid drug use, have higher self-esteem, learn teamwork and have good character.

Martin said at Memorial, students are taught citizenship, leadership skills and “how to be productive.” The students themselves suggest they form close-knit units — they become like family on campus — and develop goals that can include military service.

That’s where Stephanie Benitez, a Port Arthur senior and commanding officer, sees her goals taking her — either to the Navy or Air Force.

Sophomore David Hoffpauir, a second-year cadet, sees a future as an Army paratrooper.

Eddie Richards, a junior, says the confidence and leadership skills he’s developed as a Port Arthur cadet point him toward a career as a Navy weapons specialist.

Those cadets have a ready role model in Jennifer Barrera, 19, who enlisted in the Navy after completing NJROTC and high school at Memorial.

“The program taught me a lot,” Barrera said, listing military bearing, discipline, chain of command and rank and recognition.

Those things are taught and encouraged within programs that reflect the diversity of America, with ample opportunity for people of a wide variety of backgrounds to succeed.

You needn’t be a genius but you need to try. Students need to be in a regular course of study, advancing in timely fashion toward graduation, and be qualified to participate in physical education. “Acceptable standards” of conduct are required.

Those are not impossible benchmarks. It means most every student can try.

And it’s worth a try.