By U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Henry E. Mooberry Division Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – A large number of youth and adult volunteers, all members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) Henry E. Mooberry Division, were recognized for their individual and collective efforts and accomplishments at a recent awards ceremony aboard USS Barry (DD 933).

Nearly 100 people attended the quarterly awards ceremony, held on the ship’s helicopter flight deck.

Cadets, age 10 to 18 and adult volunteers, age 18 and older, were recognized for their years of volunteer service; service as members of the unit’s Honor Guard, physical fitness and academic achievement – attaining Honor Roll status in their elementary or high school semesters.

Cadets and adult volunteers also received awards for their community service and humanitarian efforts; and superior service while serving as staff members for advanced training evolutions throughout the country.

Cadets report front and center to receive awards. (USNSCC Photo by Inst. Tye Mullikin/Released)

Cadet Benjamin Thompson and Ens. Joshua Maye received the NSCC Distinguished Service Ribbon, the second highest award for which an individual is eligible, for their sustained and extraordinary service, in a position of responsibility.

The unit’s Commanding Officer, Sea Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Joseph P. Cirone said, “Cadet Thompson joined the program just two years ago, yet in spite of personal challenges and an injury that prevented him from attending boot camp his first summer, he quickly established himself as a leader, with meticulous attention to detail in all he did. He served as the unit’s Honor Guard commander, Recruit Company Commander and ultimately, the Leading Petty Officer during his nearly three years in the program. His reliability and dedication stood among the tops in the unit.”

Thompson maintained an excellent scholastic record (complete with honor roll appointment) in high school, where he also served as the commander of the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) unit. After graduating this month from high school, he will the Citadel, with a scholarship. He will be the third cadet from the unit in as many years to attend the Citadel.

Maye, now 21 years old, began his affiliation with the NSCC in 1999 as a cadet. “He is one of the most mature and dedicated Cadets I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” Sea Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Rolfe wrote. Maye plans to complete college in 2011 and apply for a commission in the military. “He would make a great officer in the active-duty military,” Cirone noted. “He has been a tremendous asset to our unit.”

Cadet Leila Farzam and Instructor Peter Gaydos received the NSCC Meritorious Service Ribbon for humanitarian actions they performed during two medical emergencies along the Washington waterfront, during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April, 2010.

Inst. Peter Gaydos, left and Cadet Leila Farzam, right. (USNSCC Photos by Inst. Tye Mullikin/Released)

Cadet Kenny Buzzard was recognized for his overcoming severe challenges related to dyslexia; winning a significant prize for his essay to the Reading for the Blind and Dyxlic foundation; graduating Junior High School and twice receiving the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence in school. He accepted his prize during a formal awards dinner, held at the National Geographic Society in Washington, where he gave a 10 minute acceptance speech.

In addition to Thompson, cadets Anna Lan and sister, Hannah Lan, also graduating from the program and high school, were recognized for being selected for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis) and the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). “They join a long list of cadets from our unit that have been offered appointments to these prestigious military academies. We are proud that their names are on that list,” Cirone stated.

Cadets Max Walsh and Anthony Stephens were acknowledged as graduating from the unit and entering the U.S. Marine Corps at an advanced pay grade due to their NSCC participation. Cirone reported, “Both cadets were members of our Honor Guard and are well suited for the Marines. We will miss them, but are glad they are benefiting from their time in our unit.”

During the ceremony, 15 other cadets were promoted to higher ranks and Cirone extended a special thank you to the unit’s adult volunteers, comprised of interested citizens, parents, guardians, government workers and active-duty, reserve and retired military men and women.

Based at the historic Washington Navy Yard, the Sea Cadet unit is one of the oldest, largest, most capable and most respected Sea Cadet units in the country. Its focus includes community service and public affairs, ceremonial operations, surface (boat and ship) and special operations.

The unit supports Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force and Navy League of the United States events and programs. It exposes youth, age 10 to 17 and adults age 18 and up, to all military branches of service, numerous occupational fields and encourages enrollment in college, by providing college scholarship and military academy opportunities.

In the unit’s 48 year history, more than 6,500 male and female youth have experienced “The Adventure of a Lifetime,” while increasing their self-confidence, self-discipline, courage and independence; learning leadership, self-reliance, new skills and building their moral, patriotic and personal values and character in a safe, drug-, alcohol-, tobacco- and gang-free environment, while having fun.

Many former Sea Cadets have been accepted into the nation’s military academies and other prestigious educational institutions; have entered the military services at advanced pay grades; and have become top military and business leaders and even astronauts, as well as model citizens.

The unit’s Sea Cadets form lifelong bonds and make new friends from around the world through its monthly training program as well as travel and training opportunities during school breaks in winter, spring and summer and participation in the International Exchange Program, which the unit helped develop in the 1970s.

By participating in the year-round Sea Cadet program, there is no obligation whatsoever to join the military. College scholarships are available for cadets seeking opportunities for higher education. The unit welcomes all interested personnel to seek more information at www.seacadetsdc.org.