1886Edward H. Haskell, a local Civil War veteran, offered a gold medal to the best-drilled cadet.Government and Public Service, Military, Education

The Haskell Medal was the most prestigious award given to cadets and was awarded in subsequent years.

Compulsory military drill for Gloucester High School boys was introduced in 1884 by Principal Albert W. Bacheler, a Civil War veteran. The cadets comprised one of the battalions of the Second Massachusetts Cadet Regiment. In 1921, the high school cadets became a Junior R.O.T.C. unit under the National Defense Act of 1916.