Inspired by Mahant Swami, 17-year-old Indian-American leads 300 US Navy cadets

For most teenagers, high school mornings begin with classes and homework. For 17-year-old Riddhi Chauhan, they begin with command responsibilities.

Long before the first school bell rings, the Indian-American student can be found on the parade ground directing drills and overseeing training for hundreds of cadets.

A student at Benjamin N Cardozo High School in New York's Queens borough, Riddhi currently serves as the Battalion Commanding Officer of her school's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) unit.

The position places her in charge of nearly 300 cadets, making her the top student leader in the programme. She has also secured admission to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, a significant milestone in her journey towards becoming an officer in the US Navy.

Rising through the ranks

According to an India Today report, Riddhi's leadership role did not come overnight. She entered the NJROTC programme as a freshman seeking opportunities to challenge herself and build confidence. Over the years, she steadily took on greater responsibilities, earning promotions through a combination of academic performance, discipline and leadership.

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Before assuming command of the battalion, she held several key positions within the unit. Whether coordinating academic competitions, leading inspection teams or managing STEM-related activities, she gained experience across different aspects of the programme.

Her efforts helped the unit perform strongly in academic events while also expanding hands-on learning opportunities for cadets.

Leading by example

According to the report, as commanding officer, Riddhi's responsibilities extend well beyond ceremonial drills. She helps manage day-to-day operations, mentors younger cadets and ensures training activities run smoothly.

Over the years, she has helped hundreds of cadets develop confidence and leadership skills. Those who have worked with her describe a leadership style built on encouragement and teamwork rather than authority alone.

Values that shaped her journey

According to the report, Riddhi attributes much of her outlook on leadership to lessons learned both at home and through her involvement with BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. She says the teachings of Mahant Swami Maharaj encouraged her to view leadership as an opportunity to serve others rather than a position of power.

The daughter of Ruchika and Dilip Chauhan, whose family has roots in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Riddhi believes those values have helped her handle pressure, remain focused and embrace new challenges.

Her admission to the Naval Academy Preparatory School now brings her closer to a long-held ambition of joining the United States Naval Academy and serving as a commissioned naval officer.

At an age when many students are still deciding their future, Riddhi is already leading hundreds of peers while preparing for a career in military service.