Herbert, along with Cadets Kathryn and Kristine Plata of Ashburn, VA, both age 15, and Cadets Anna and Hannah Lan of McLean, VA, both age 16, were promoted to Sea Cadet Petty Officer Third Class, after completing the required U.S. Navy Correspondence Course and Exam. In accepting the promotion, they became heir to a long and proud tradition, shared by Coast Guardsman and Navy Sailors, and they agreed to demonstrate high standards of performance, moral courage, and dedication, setting an enviable example for other cadets to follow.

Warrant Officer Maria E. Gonzalez presents Cadet Kristine Plata with her Petty Officer Third Class Certificate (All Photos by INST William Walker III, NSCC)

Cadet Rachel Eichler, a 10 year-old member of the U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps Training Ship John S. McCain, Jr., also based at the Navy Yard, and 16 year-old Sea Cadet member Jerome Vorus, Jr., both of Alexandria, VA, received recognition as Honor Cadets of the recently completed new member orientation course. Eleven year-old League Cadet Ryan McFadden of Alexandria, VA and Sea Cadet Davon McKenzie, 13, of Capital Heights, MD were awarded certificates as the League Cadet and Sea Cadet of the First Quarter of 2008, for their outstanding conduct, academic and performance achievements.  

 

Cadet Rachel Eichler salutes Warrant Officer Gonzalez after being presented with an award

Cadets Rachel Eichler and Kathryn Plata were joined by Cadets Noel, Zion and Krystle Babayemi and Brian DeShong, all of Bowie, MD; Joffrey Juste of Hyattsville, MD; Elizabeth Eichler of Alexandria, VA and Andreus Leon-Franco of Woodbridge, VA, in being awarded for their academic achievements and earning a spot on the Honor Roll at their schools. Previously, Cadets Anna and Hannah Lan, students at one of the most demanding schools in America, were also given the Sea Cadet Academic Achievement Ribbon.  

   

Warrant Officer Gonzalez presents Academic Achievement Ribbon Award Certificates to Sea Cadet Andreus Leon-Franco (left) and League Cadet Noel Babayemi (right)

Seven League Cadets; 25 Sea Cadets and 11 Adults, who volunteer as Instructors and Officers were presented with a special National Headquarters Unit Commendation Ribbon, acknowledging their significant contributions to the two units’ success and for projecting “a positive image of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Navy League Cadet Corps in the local community.”                                                                                                                                                                                 

Six League Cadets; 13 Sea Cadets and 8 Adults were recognized for their efforts in helping to attract new members, interested in becoming leaders and developing self-confidence, to the youth program. Fifteen members of the two units, received an award for their longevity in the Nation’s oldest Sea Cadet unit.

Following closing remarks by Rear Admiral Foley and Lieutenant Joseph P Cirone, commanding officer of the two units; the Cadets, adult volunteers and more than 30 parents and guests enjoyed refreshments, food and fellowship at the unit’s Navy Yard office.

Parents and guests enjoy food, refreshments and fellowship, following the Awards ceremony.

Ice, refreshments and food, as well as setup and cleanup work were contributed by some unit members and supportive parents.

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A Slideshow Look Into U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Boot Camp

(Images Courtesy of Amateur Photographers at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL - JAN 2008.  Captions by LT Joseph P Cirone, USNSCC )

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TEENS GO FOR THE GOLD, ARE TOLD TO KEEP THE CHANGE 

Students Ask to Stay in School Longer

Story and Photos by LT Joseph P. Cirone, USNSCC

WASHINGTON DC (April 10, 2008) - On April 2, 2008, 20 male and female teenagers from throughout the country arrived in Eastover, South Carolina, seeking gold, and were told to keep the change. They spent five days in a classroom and asked to stay even longer. Had the scenario happened a day earlier, it could have been an April Fool’s joke, but the teens were not fools and the classroom training was not a joke. The teens had an average age of 16 and shared a common interest; but there was nothing average about them and there was nothing common about the schooling they received.

The teenagers, and a handful of adults, volunteering to help teach them and provide support, came from eight states and the Nation’s Capital. All are members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a Congressionally chartered youth development organization for males and females, age 10 to 17, teaching leadership, self-reliance and self-esteem, while keeping them in school and away from gangs, drugs and other negative influences, by offering a variety of fun, challenging, exciting and rewarding activities, when school is not in session.

The teens, called Cadets, share the common vision of either attending college, perhaps with one of the many scholarships offered by the program; applying for entrance into a military or merchant marine academy; enlisting in a military service, likely at an advanced pay grade; or simply having fun while being exposed to various occupational fields and positive role models.

The Cadets received permission from their High Schools to miss a week and attend the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps’ (NSCC) Advanced Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA), held at the McCrady South Carolina Army National Guard Training Center, near the U.S. Army’s Training Center at Fort Jackson, SC.

Just as the Cadets were not average teens, this POLA was not the normal POLA curriculum. Instead, it was the first of its kind, a blend of the traditional POLA  and a course, known as “Cougar Quest,” taking the program to a more advanced level, challenging the Cadets, mentally, physically, and emotionally.”  

NSCC Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Tammy R. Rivera, of South Carolina and South Carolina Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rick Corley, who is also an NSCC adult volunteer, coordinated the program, with the assistance of six support and three additional instruction personnel. Corley called the course, “the most impacting and challenging course ever taken by Cadets.” Early in the week, it was evident that Cadets with diverse backgrounds blended together, formed bonds of friendship and quickly became an effective team, in order to meet the demanding challenges.

Throughout the course, the Cadets practiced newly acquired leadership skills; endured long days, short nights, soaking rains and living and eating in military facilities in a beautiful wooded area, isolated from the conveniences and distractions of city life.  

They attended classes, performed practical exercises, took exams, completed homework assignments and enjoyed a few hours sleep, daily. Because there was little time available to waste on idle chatter or text messaging, cell phones, I-Pods and other electronic items were collected upon initial arrival at the training site and not returned to Cadets until graduation day. 

Classroom and practical sessions included leadership and personality styles; ethics; team building; memory association; public speaking; voice projection and confidence; diversity awareness; development of personal and academic goals and analysis; elimination of personal weaknesses; utilizing personal strengths; negotiation; effective verbal and non-verbal communication; lesson planning; physical fitness; creative brainstorming; and understanding the roles, responsibilities and accountability of leadership.

Rivera attended one phase of the program last May and learned to trust people more; become more confident; greatly improve her leadership skills; become more flexible and better able to adapt to changes, reducing her stress level. Nick Mann, a 16 year-old NSCC Leading Petty Officer in Rivera’s unit and a champion competitive swimmer, attended the entire course last July. He learned that striving for near-perfection was good, but failing on occasion when trying his best was okay. Mann served as one of the POLA course facilitators and as a liaison between the adult and Cadet personnel.   

 

(Left) Under the watchful eye of a senior cadet, left, for safety, Cadet Kyle Gerringer, walks high atop the U.S. Marine Corps' obstacle course.  (Right) A determined female Cadet, negotiates the obstacle course, as a senior cadet has his arms extended for safety's sake. 

“Initially, I was skeptical that this program was much different from other POLA programs, but within days, I was convinced that the techniques used clearly made a significant impact,” NSCC Lieutenant Joseph P Cirone, commanding officer of the NSCC unit based at the Washington Navy Yard in the Nation’s Capital, said. In describing the results of the course, Cadets spoke as if they found a pot of gold or had unlimited access to the gold deposits at Fort Knox.

“When I began this course, it was hard for me to speak to more than a few people at a time, now that’s changed,” Cadet John Winston Spires, remarked. Spires used his talents to keep his fellow students motivated during even the toughest times. “He always saw the bright side of things and kept us laughing,” a fellow Cadet recalled. “It is an amazing leadership experience,” one Cadet said. Another Cadet said the course pushed her out of her comfort zone, “I have grown in my abilities. This is a truly motivating experience,” she said. Cadet Heather Vibbert said she learned to become more self-confident, trust and open up to others, having faith in them. “It is an awesome experience,” she concluded.

No Pain, No Gain! Cadet Anastastasia Robinson, with leg splinted, raises her cup and smiles with other cadets, even after she sustained a minor injury on the obstacle course.       

“It got rid of barriers that kept me from being a success. We worked as a team with people we didn’t even know. I improved my leadership and overall personality,” Cadet Ben Webster of Georgia commented. “It’s an amazing leadership experience,” another Cadet said. “The training made me want to strive to be the best; give my all; work hard as I know how to, plus some. It was really motivating,” an excited Cadet proclaimed. “Everyone has to have this course. I thought I was a leader, now I am a leader. This has taken me to a new level I didn’t think possible - it is!,” Cadet Shannon Penne of California, boldly stated.  

The program taught the Cadets not to let their personal limitations prevent them from doing everything they possibly can, according to Jones. During an extremely challenging portion of the course, Instructor Roger Wheeler asked a group of  Cadets if they were afraid of what was about to happen. He said the Cadets responded with, “All week they have been teaching us not to be weak or afraid; why would we fear now?”   As the course was nearing its conclusion, Cadets were still having the “adventure of a lifetime” and asked if they could stay longer and continue learning, even after enduring clothes-soaking rains, mud, fatigue and being pushed to their limits. Cadet Cynthia Rivera exclaimed, “If I had the chance, I’d do it again.”

Having completed the schooling; asking to stay in school longer and finding gold-like value in the course offerings, graduation day arrived. Parents traveled from near and far, as did High School teachers from Bloomfield, NJ, to be on hand. “Different,” is how Rivera and others described the ceremonies. The ceremony was lively, emotional, and included participation by all in attendance. Pride, cheers and tears of joy were evident.

“You will always be regarded as mine. I’m your second mom,” Rivera told the graduating Cadets. She pledged to be available to them as they continue in life, available if they want to talk or need help at anytime in the future. “After feeling the love in the room; seeing the excellent teamwork, conduct and leadership the Cadets displayed all week, I had tears in my eyes, today. It was hard to hold back my emotions and focus. I broke out in tears when one Cadet whispered a special thank you in my ear, while I had my eyes closed as part of the ceremony. I was blown away,” Cirone commented.

As a pilot program, the short term results look very positive, but the long term results will determine the program’s true worth. The changes in the Cadets will be observed over coming months to see what, if any, impact it has on the Cadet’s leadership and achievement. “We’ll personally observe our Cadets and if they are changed for the better in four to six months from now, then we will have our answer,” Corley stated. 

The graduation concluded with the recognition of Cadet Megan Gilligan, of Kentucky, as the most improved; Cadet Andre Perez of New Jersey, and Cadet Joy Caris of Michigan as the male and female most outstanding Cadets.

In her closing remarks, Rivera encouraged Cadets to “keep the change” they made during the course. So far, they have. “I am already getting e-mails from parents and Cadets thanking us for the change,” Rivera reported two days after the graduation.

Sea Cadet Training Directly Responsible  

WASHINGTON DC (March 6, 2008) - A 28 year-old Landover, Maryland man owes his life, to the self-confidence and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training a 14 year-old Washington DC U.S. Naval Sea Cadet received last month and to the six Virginia nurses who volunteered to give up part of their Super Bowl Sunday to teach the course.

Geremiah Edness, a resident of Washington DC, and a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Henry E. Mooberry Division, based at the Washington Navy Yard, was in the McPherson Square Metro train station on his way home from school when the unidentified man, known only as “Jason,” lost consciousness at about 4:20 p.m, on Monday, March 3, 2008. While other people gathered around, Edness used CPR training and the self-confidence he gained as a member of the Sea Cadets to take charge of the situation and help the man.

“I immediately thought to stay cool and told myself that I know what to do,” Edness said. While others went to summon help, Edness told the crowd that he knew CPR, then went through the procedures taught to him at Sea Cadet training: checking the man's pulse and breathing, clearing his airway, and positioning him for CPR.

After determining that the young man's heart stopped, Cadet Edness performed CPR, including chest compressions. After several compressions, the man gasped and began breathing on his own, but was still disoriented, Edness reported. Describing his feelings at the time, “I was very proud of my training and how to apply it,” he told his family.

When Metro Rail authorities arrived, one of them asked Cadet Edness what authorization he had to give CPR. With the confidence of a person many times his age and proud of his Sea Cadet membership and training, Edness replied, “Geremiah Andre Edness, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet," then showed the first responder his Sea Cadet Identification Card. The worker thanked Cadet Edness for his help, then tended to the recovering patient, while Edness continued on his way home. A spokesman for Metro Rail confirmed that a report of the incident, described by rail workers as a heart seizure, was filed at about 5 p.m. that day. Additional details were not available for public release.

SUPER SUNDAY - SUPER RESULTS

Edness and 36 other Sea Cadets, ranging from 10 to 17 years old, were trained in CPR on February 3, 2008 at Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, VA.  Janice K. Lavoie, a Nursing Department Director at the hospital and a volunteer adult leader for the Sea Cadet unit, coordinated the training, which was conducted by Lavoie; Judy Merring, nurse educator at the hospital and a retired Naval Reserve Captain; and four other nurses, representing the hospital, Navy, and Air Force. All of the nurses volunteered their time, before heading home to watch the rest of the Super Bowl, when the course was completed.

The CPR training was the final training session the Sea Cadet unit held that weekend. Other training sessions included Abandon Ship Procedures; Survival Swimming and Water Rescue training at an indoor pool in Dale City, VA; and First Aid training aboard the Naval Ship, USS Barry, at the Washington Navy Yard.

Edness joined the Sea Cadet unit in December, 2007, along with his older brother, Garvey. Together, they, along with 30 other Cadets, attended a Shipboard Firefighting, Water Survival and Damage Control training weekend at Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ, in January.

ON CLOUD NINE

Upon hearing about Cadet Edness’ efforts, Lavoie said, “I’m on Cloud Nine, this is great!” “This is wonderful,” exclaimed, Maureen Deutermann, also a Nursing Department Director at the hospital and one of the volunteer instructors. “My first reaction: WOW!  My second reaction: WOW!  In other words I was uncharacteristically speechless! As CPR instructors, we know that we are teaching lifesaving skills in our classes.  However, we don’t  often see such a dramatic demonstration of those skills,” Deutermann continued.  Janice Stephens of Washington, a mother of a fellow Sea Cadet said, “This is absolutely awesome!” Retired Navy Senior Chief Gerald Ruckman, a long-time advisor to the Sea Cadet unit, shared the joy - “Outstanding!,” he said. “Money well spent,” opined DC resident Lori Holland, mother of a former Sea Cadet.