CADETS LEARN THE ROPES, BEAT STAFF AND GRADUATE!

By Joseph P Cirone

Question – What do the New Jersey State Police, Army National Guard, Department of Corrections and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps/U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps have in common? Answer – They all conduct Recruit Training at the same place!

LT Cirone (back to camera) instructs recruit cadets about water safety and survival procedures, before they head onto the beach and into the Atlantic Ocean at U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps Recruit Training at the New Jersey Military Academy/New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, NJ. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

On 10 AUG 08, Henry E. Mooberry Division U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) members K. Herbert, R. Malley and J. Vorus joined LT Joseph P Cirone, NSCC on the staff of the U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) Recruit Training evolution at the New Jersey State Police, Criminal Justice and Military Academy in Sea Girt, NJ on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cadet Vorus (right) oversees his recruit company (left), during the Boot Camp. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

Recruit Cadets B. Babayemi, N. Babayemi, J. Buzard, S. Buzard, I. Carballo, M. Downing, P. Miranda, and M. Vargus, of the Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. Training Ship, U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), a sub-unit of the Henry E. Mooberry Division, joined recruit Cadets from 14 other NLCC units, from Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.

Cadets Babayemi (foreground) and Vargus (backgroound) take notes during a classroom session. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

During the week-long Boot Camp, the Cadets, all of whom are under age 13, under the supervision of LT Cirone, Commanding Officer of the Henry E. Mooberry Division, who was serving as the Medical and Training Officer for the Boot Camp, learned the learned first aid, basic seamanship, naval heritage, shipboard watchstanding, standards of conduct, water safety and survival, fire fighting and damage control, marlinspike seamanship, knot tying and other subjects.

LT John Newchurch (NSCC Squadron One – NAEC Lakehurst, NJ), the Boot Camp’s Executive Officer, coordinates with the Quarterdeck via cellular telephone. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

Reading, Writing and That Other Stuff

Throughout the training, marching, teamwork, naval customs and courtesies, personal organizational skills, self-reliance, independence, and friendly competition were emphasized. The cadets also learned how to avoid drug and alcohol abuse and practiced decision-making, teambuilding and leadership skills.

The NLCC Cadets, also jumped in the ocean’s surf; climbed on an obstacle course; stood night time fire and security watches; identified and learned the difference between bulkheads, overheads, scuttlebutts, decks, hatches and doors; marched in formation, endured personnel and barracks inspections; participated in morning Colors and night time Taps ceremonies, passed in review; learned the Navy and Coast Guard Core values, self-discipline, how to be successful in personal relationships, and learned about fire prevention.

LT Cirone (left) supervises recruit cadets in stabilizing and getting a simulated water casualty (Cadet Buzard) onto the water rescue board (right), as water droplets spray in the air. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

LT Cirone was assisted by staff Cadets from the Mooberry Division and adult volunteers from other units. Mooberry Division Sea Cadets K. Herbert, J. Vorus and R. Malley, were among a small group of NSCC Cadets on staff at the New Jersey Military Academy, which also houses the New Jersey Army National Guard Training Center, NJ State Police and Corrections Academies, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in southern New Jersey.

Surf’s Up!

During the week, the training took advantage of the Ocean, allowing water safety and survival class sessions in the rough surf to provide Cadets with a realistic sense of what they would face if they ever had to abandon ship or jump into the ocean from a boat. during an emergency.

Cadet Herbert (center) demonstrates the value of an inflated pair of uniform pants, which he is using as a life preserver during a simulated ocean water emergency. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

On the State Police/National Guard obstacle course, LT Cirone found some huge (heavy) truck tires and used them to hold a relay race for Cadets to compete and have exercise, while at the same time, having fun.

Cadet B. Babayemi runs through the tire drill on the obstacle course. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

One Up, One Down

One recruit cadet lies on the ground after unsuccessfully negotiating the obstacle course, while another recruit cadet seemingly flies through the air past him and over the next hurdle. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

Up and Over…With Ease

Cadet N. Babayemi goes up and over a fence, with ease, during the obstacle course relay race between recruits. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

If Up and Over Is “Not Your Thing”…How ‘Bout “Down and Under?”

Photo by Cadet R. Malley

Another highlight was the 4-way Tug of War, which Cadets loved. Twice, the recruit Cadets beat the staff Cadets and adult volunteers during the Tug of War. Trying to rationalize the loss, LT Cirone was heard to say, “they must have eaten Wheaties for breakfast!”

Recruit cadets Buzard (left) and Downing (second from left) pull with all of their might to help their team win the Tug-of-War against the adult volunteer and senior Cadet staff. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

Bigger Than They Are

Cadet B. Babayemi and another female recruit cadet (left) work as a team to roll the huge truck tire to the finish line, during the truck tire relay race. Photo by Cadet R. Malley

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