MAKIN’ WAVES Online Edition

By LT Joseph P Cirone, NSCC

Summer officially began on 21 JUN 08, but in its continual quest to be in the forefront, leading the way, the Henry E. Mooberry Division - U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps // Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. Training Ship - U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps, began its summer a week early!

The unit’s Cadets and adult volunteers have already begun having fun this summer and seized leadership opportunities to help Sea Cadets and League Cadets from throughout the world!

SUBS, GATORS, A LONG TOW LINE, A BIG STICK AND A TV PREMIER

Not Jared’s Kind of Subs

On 14 JUN 08, Cadet K Herbert headed to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA for Submarine training. In quick note sent via e-mail almost a week later, Cadet Herbert said, “I’m here loving sub school in Kings Bay and I am learning a lot.”

Of Frogs and Gators…

The next day, Cadets A Lan and H Lan went to Amphibious Operations Training in Little Creek, VA, to experience the Navy’s Amphibious personnel, training, ships and landing craft, most often referred to, collectively, as “the Gator Navy.”

Towing the Line

Meanwhile that same day, Cadets M Walsh and J Vorus joined LT JP Cirone and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist G. Ivin, aboard Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel 24999, operated by LT Cirone, to perform a Maritime Safety and Security Patrol on the Potomac River, under Coast Guard orders.

CAPT Robert Platt, USCG (Ret) at the helm of Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel 24999

During the day-long patrol, the crew participated in two Search and Rescue (SAR) cases. The first, just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, on the Prince Georges County side of the Potomac River, helped two distressed boaters from Prince William County, VA adrift after they drove their boat outside of the channel and hit the river’s bottom, damaging their propeller and out drive, making propulsion impossible.

After radioing Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, MD to advise them of the situation, the crew went into action, having the distressed boaters don lifejackets and anchor their boat to prevent it from drifting further into dangerous shallow water, while the Coast Guard/Sea Cadet boat crew broke out and made ready its towing gear.

Once the towlines, shackles and other gear were ready, Cadets Walsh and Vorus tossed the bitter end of the towline to the distressed boat, which were hooked up to the boat’s bow and connected to the 24999’s towing bridle, after having the distressed boaters haul their anchor in.

With the distressed vessel in tow with a long length of towline deployed, 24999 headed south toward a rendezvous with a Boat/US towboat coming from Prince William County and the Cadets alternated between performing a tow watch aft and the lookout forward.

Minutes after handing the tow off to Boat/US’ towboat, Marlboro Point, off of Lorton, VA (Fairfax County), the crew of the 24999 was directed by Coast Guard Sector Baltimore to respond to an emergency distress call in the area of the Tobacco River in Charles County, MD, some 30 minutes south of the crew’s position at the time. Immediately, the 24999’s bow rose as its speed increased from six to 33 knots in mere minutes.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

Speeding toward the scene, the crew endured pounding seas and water spraying over the bow, before being told to stand down, halfway to the scene, after Charles County’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center confirmed the distress call was unfounded.

With the adrenaline rush over, the crew settled into a 20-kot cruising speed and continued its patrol, before heading to the Occoquan Bay for a man overboard Drill; coxswain boat handling and maneuvering drills and then into the Neabsco Creek to take on fuel, before heading north toward DC, to end its eight-hour patrol.

Always Know Where the Big Stick Is

On 21 and 22 JUN, Cadets and some of the adult volunteers not already deployed, went aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, for the unit’s weekend Drill.

Some 30 Cadets, led by INSTs C Eichler, M Plata, N Rafikian, S Cobilich, Midshipman J Maye, Warrant Officer M Gonzalez and LT JP Cirone, boarded four passenger vans with their Seabags, left DC and headed for the ship early Saturday morning.

Aboard ROOSEVELT, Cadets lived in the air wing’s berthing area overnight and attended training sessions in the ship’s general operations, finding the way to get someplace inside the massive ship and replenishment at sea; marlinspike seamanship; damage control; flight operations and the many different aspects that encompass the job of the ship’s senior Chaplain, including what a “holy helo” is.

 CDR Eichler, left, and WO Gonzalez on the flight deck

Commenting on the marlinspike seamanship training session provided by three of the ship’s Boatswain’s Mates, INST Rafikian said, “the Cadets will always remember where they learned knot-tying, as well as what they learned.”

“As I work towards becoming a military chaplain, it was a great opportunity to speak with the Command Chaplain. To hear his accomplishments, but most importantly what it takes to make sure the men and women of the Sea Services have what they need from a spiritual and mental standpoint was humbling,” MIDN Maye remarked.

The unit’s personnel ate aboard ship and toured the ship’s vast acreage, including seeing the infamous “big stick,” often associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the nation’s 26th President in the early 1900s.

Cadets look at the infamous “Big Stick” in the ship’s musuem 

“It was amazing observing some of the Navy personnel in action and the experience berthing and eating on the mess deck along with Navy personnel aboard an active, moving ship,” said Instructor M Plata.

INST Eicher said, “I am absolutely THRILLED! It will be a treasured memory for many.”

The ship’s namesake lived up to the phrase that is often associated with his diplomatic style - walking softy, but carrying a big stick.

Well-known as a tough, no-nonsense state and national politician from New York; avid outdoorsman; a New York City Police Commissioner; an Assistant Secretary of the Navy during preparations for a war with Spain; and a war hero as the Commander of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, known as the Rough Riders, during the Spanish-American War; he also had a softer side. He was also an active conservationist; pro-labor advocate; the first President to call for a national health care program; a successful author of over 35 books on natural history and the great outdoors; and the first American ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Russo-Japanese War. In recognition of his soft side, the widely admired, Teddy Bear, is named for him.

Cadet E Eichler looks at President Teddy Roosevelt’s pearl handled revolver in the ship’s musuem

Like the man himself, the carrier on which the unit embarked, is a very visible sign of America’s tough side and its ability to engage in “big stick diplomacy”, as needed and directed; while also being able to show America’s softer side, helping to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid. worldwide.

INST Plata commented, “I have never imagined that I would be able to get aboard an active and fully commissioned aircraft carrier…my husband is a bit jealous of us! (He was a Navy Reservist).”

ROOSEVELT’s sister ship, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), is currently featured on a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) TV reality show, entitled, Carrier, which candidly shows what life aboard a carrier at sea is like on a daily basis.

Three of the unit’s Cadets, in uniform, represented all Sea Cadets when they attended the show’s invitation-only premier in DC, a couple of weeks before the show began airing and the unit went aboard ROOSEVELT. For them, and others who attended the weekend Drill; actually being on the ship’s flight deck and aboard the same type of aircraft carrier that they have seen in operation on TV and in movies for many years, was an experience unlikely to be forgotten soon.

Discussing the weekend afterward, INST Plata said, “I told my husband, ONLY with the Sea Cadet program, kids (Cadets) and adult volunteers get the opportunity to experience this, and build these kind of memories!”

Before heading home on Sunday afternoon, unit personnel attended a leadership session and many went to religious services, in the ship’s chapel.

Cadets and adult volunteers disembark ROOSEVELT on Sunday

“It was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience, one of which will always be remembered and will stay in the minds of our Cadets, and in my mind, as well,” INST Plata concluded.

THE UNIT GOES INTERNATIONAL

On 28 JUN, Cadet B DeShong and Instructor J Lavoie headed to the Naval College in Newport, RI for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps International Exchange Program (IEP), where Sea Cadets and their adult volunteers from around the world gather to learn from their U.S. counterparts.

Cadet DeShong is serving as a Staff Cadet and INST Lavoie is serving as the Medical Officer for the IEP. Both are doing well and staying busy.

Five countries are represented at the IEP, according to INST Lavoie. In addition to Cadet DeShong, there are four other NSCC Cadets on staff. Joining INST Lavoie on the adult staff are four others, most long-time Officers in the NSCC.

Sweden has one adult and two Cadets; Canada with one adult and three Cadets; Singapore, one adult and five Cadets; and the UK has one adult and five Cadets.

Getting Cadets and adults to one place from around the country is always a challenge, but getting people from around the globe is even more difficult. The IEP adult staff had their fill of challenges on 29 JUN when flights were delayed and one was rerouted to a different city, more than an hour away, all making for a very long and perhaps frustrating day and night for all involved.

Royal Canadian Sea Cadets pass in review during a Military Drill evolution  Photo by Van Rockerfeller 

During her first NSCC advanced training evolution as the primary medical officer, INST Lavoie is refreshing her pediatric medical knowledge and learning new medical skills, including reading prescription medicine labels written in Chinese!

Friends will be Friends

Staffing as a Cadet or adult for the IEP should be a goal for most of our unit’s personnel at least one time, as it offers a good look at other Sea Cadet programs in the world and the cultural differences, as well as the opportunity to make friends in other countries - easy to stay in touch with the Internet!

INST Lavoie has already made a new friend from “across the pond.” “The UK adult is a funny guy. We’ve bonded. I told him about the British TV shows that I like, and he’s into celebrity gossip, too. He even gave me one of the British versions of The Enquirer, so I got to read all about Madonna’s divorce,” she said.

Not to be outdone, Cadet DeShong has also made new friends, as well. Beginning with his very first day in Newport, he made a very good impression with one of the NSCC senior Officers from the New England Region and has continued doing so with others as well.

INST Lavoie reported, “Everyone here is very happy with Cadet DeShong. He was very nice today, he came over to the adult table at lunch and offered to get ice cream for all of us. It was very well received.”

Reports indicate that Cadet DeShong has become friendly with female Cadets from England and Ireland. The females flock to his table during chow. With his intelligence and friendly personality, it is little wonder that he is popular.

The experience of being exposed to people from different countries heightens the awareness of the differences between all of us.

“Weather has been a challenge for some of our foreign visitors. The Canadians are nearly passing out from what they call extreme heat. (80 degrees, no humidity, nice breeze). Cadets from the UK and Sweden are complaining that they didn’t think that it should be summer yet. On the other hand, the Singaporeans are freezing to death!,” Lavoie reported.

Other differences exist as well, including military bearing and grooming standards. INST Lavoie stated, “the Singaporeans take the prize for military bearing. They also have the nicest uniforms - complete with berets. The Brits were OK…one of the male Cadets has a blond spiky Mohawk hairstyle.”

Just as there are differences, there are similarities as well.

INST Lavoie and Cadet DeShong watched as Cadets conducted military Drill in their country’s own style. For Lavoie, it has been one of the best highlights of her experience over the last few days. Commenting on what she saw, she said, “the Swedes do this interesting thing when they start off, called a “stutter” step; while the Canadians and Singaporeans have the most similar marching styles. They swing their arms back and forth and raise their legs at a 90 degree angle when marching.”

On Tuesday, 1 JUL, all of the Cadets and adults went to Damage Control training aboard the “USS Buttercup,” learning how to patch and plug water leaks from broken pipes and the ships structure; plus other measures aimed at preventing the loss of the ship during an emergency.

On 2 JUL, everyone headed for the water, fun and adventure - they went kayaking and canoeing. INST Lavoie learned that kayaking on a calm lake in California is much easier than doing it on a rock and low hanging tree branch-dense tidal river in New England. Summarizing the day’s events, she said, “It’s hard work. I kept hitting rocks below the water’s surface and found out how hard using the paddles was. My muscles ache.”

The days ahead offer the Cadets and adults much more, including getting underway into the Atlantic Ocean on the 225-foot U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB-201), to haul a large, multi-thousand pound buoy and 12,000 pound anchor chain out of the water, perform maintenance on it and return it to its precisely charted location in Narragansett Bay, before dropping the Cadets off on Block Island, where they will take the ferry back to the mainland.

Leaving his NSCC uniform and identity behind, LT Cirone will be aboard JUNIPER in his role as the National Branch Chief of the Imagery Division in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Department of Public Affairs, performing a Coast Guard Public Affairs mission for Coast Guard Headquarters, as part of a scheduled mission in the New England area.

The resulting video and still imagery will be made available to the media, via Coast Guard Headquarters, with some help getting it to New England area media, from the Coast Guard First District, headquartered in Boston, MA.

GOING TO BOOT CAMP….WITH AN ATTITUDE, IN “MOOBERRY STYLE!”

On Thursday 26 JUN, the unit’s spaces at the Washington Navy Yard were abuzz with activity, as Cadets KG Plata and KA Plata conducted pre-departure Seabag inspections, while INST Plata and LT Cirone tended to administrative paperwork and a pre-departure medical review of all 17 Cadets (14 recruits and three senior Cadets serving as part of the training and leadership staff) going to the NSCC Recruit Training course (boot camp) at Ft Indiantown Gap, PA, to ensure all was in order.

Execution - Phase One

On Saturday 28 JUN, INST M Plata, INST N Rafikian and Cadet Farzam escorted Cadets KA Plata and KG Plata to Ft Indiantown Gap, PA, where Cadets KA and KG Plata reported at 1000 to serve as Cadet Staff members, overseeing recruit companies.

Cadet Plata teaches a recruit company how to salute

Later that day, INSTs Plata and Rafilian, along with Cadet Farzam, served as an advance (scout) team to locate a suitable mess deck and make arrangements to feed the 14 Cadets and three additional adult volunteer members of the unit heading to Ft Indiantown Gap the following day.

Additionally, INST L Herbert escorted Cadet K Herbert to Ft Indiantown Gap, arriving that evening, after he endured a six hour train delay, returning from submarine school. Cadet Herbert, is also serving on the boot camp’s staff in a leadership role.

Cadet Herbert leads and teaches a recruit company at Boot Camp

Execution - Phase Two

Departing the Naval Support Activity Motor Pool in Anacostia, at 0630 on Sunday 29 JUN 08, INST Hallinan, MIDN Maye and LT Cirone tended to some last minute matters at the Navy Yard, while picking the Cadets up and escorted the recruit contingent to Ft Indiantown Gap.

The contingent, along with NSCC Cadets going to boot camps in Ft Jackson, SC and Ft Drum, NY (totaling 20 NSCC Cadets, plus five Cadets serving as staff) and five NLCC recruit Cadets, plus three NSCC Cadets, serving as Staff Cadets, at NLCC Recruit Training courses in Beach Haven, NJ and Sea Girt, NJ, is the largest number of Cadets going to boot camp in a single year, since the 1990s, according to unit records, thus making it a milestone in the unit’s history.

We Have Arrived………In Style!

In keeping with the historic milestone and LT Cirone’s emphasis on developing the “Mooberry Style” and “brand”, to set the unit apart from others; while showing its pride and professionalism, the recruits proudly and boldly MARCHED into the boot camp’s compound, shouting a cadence that was heard loud and clear, blocks away!

14 Henry E. Mooberry Division U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps recruits march into boot camp, singing a cadence loud and bold, heard three blocks away - causing people to stop in their tracks and watch  

The cadence, proclaiming the unit was proud to be from DC and the best in the nation, incorporated soul, borrowed from Motown, and some “New York attitude,” modeled after Cirone’s previous Sea Cadet unit in New York City.

Soon after turning a corner onto the compound’s main road, the unit’s recruits, led by MIDN Maye, INST Plata, INST Rafikian and Cadets Vorus and R Thomas, turned the heads of bystanders, including boot camp staff members, other unit’s Cadets reporting for boot camp and their parents, all of whom were three blocks away.

In describing the scene to WO S Bryant in an e-mail, INST Plata wrote, “You should have seen them marching and calling cadence…LT Cirone came up with a last minute cadence lyric (I think he got inspired…) and the Cadets used it while they were advancing/marching toward the inspection barracks. Everyone was looking in awe!!!…They got noticed, alright.”

Cirone and INST Hallinan were at the end of the road, next to the initial check-in point. People gathered at the check-in point and walking down the road, stopped what they were doing and turned around; while some people inside of the three boot camp buildings, moved outside, all to watch the Henry E. Mooberry Division Cadets marching down the road. Since a picture is worth a thousand words - the images of people stopped in the street and alongside of the road, tell it all.

“People were in awe! I saw mouths open and jaws drop. I was so proud of our Cadets, I was all choked up and could barely speak as I fought back the tears. They really did a great job,” LT Cirone said. Cirone’s emotions and feelings of pride were echoed by the other adult volunteers. A boot camp staff member told MIDN Maye that he was similarly impressed. “They didn’t look like recruits,” the staffer said in a positive manner.

Reflecting on the experience she witnessed, INST Rafikian wrote in an unsolicited e-mail, “A most impressive Grand Entree! The Cadets collective and coordinated demonstration, totally wowed the audience - Many were speechless, and many more very emotional about what is possible! The Cadets made all of us very proud!”

Upon arriving at the check-in point, all of the incoming recruit Cadets walked into a building to await their turn to walk across to the ADMIN building and begin the check-in process, while shielding themselves from the hot sun and sitting down….NOT our Cadets!

Reflecting the unit’s emphasis on special operations (SEAL, Special Boat Unit, Field Medical Force, Master-at-Arms, Ceremonial Honor Guard, Amphibious Training, etc.), being professional and being THE BEST, the Henry E. Mooberry Division Cadets continued calling the cadence and marched right up to the steps of the ADMIN building, halted, stayed in formation and went to parade rest.

Cadets wait in line for the Administrative Officer’s screening of their Service Records

Outside the building, they endured the sun’s rays and awaited their turn to enter, one by one, with the only comfort item being bottles of water to stay properly hydrated and healthy. Just as they would have to do during an Honor Guard performance or other special operations mission. A graduate of NSCC Special Boat Unit and SEAL training in the 1980s; two urban Fire and Rescue Academies; a Federal Law Enforcement Academy and over ten years of military deployments in austere and dangerous environments, worldwide, LT Cirone is often heard saying, “What doesn’t hurt them, makes them better,” the phrase he also used on this day.

A recruit Cadet from another unit (not ours) leaves boot camp with his family, after being unable to remain at the training

Save the Drama for Your Momma

For many Cadets, boot camp is the first time they have been away from their parents/guardians for an extended period of time. Some have never slept away from home on their own. Security blankets and stuffed animals are not allowed. At 13 or 14 years old and older, as all NSCC Cadets are, it is a time for positive growth and for cutting dependencies on the constant presence of parents and the need to clutch a stuffed animal or baby blanket. Time to grow up some. One of the NSCC program’s benefits is allowing Cadets to grow and become more independent of their parents, self-reliant and have self-confidence, allowing them to function on their own.

Cadet R Thomas’ Seabag contents are checked by a Boot Camp Staff Cadet

For many, the first few hours and nights are hard. It is not uncommon to hear of fears and to see tears. One male Cadet from another unit (not ours) was visibly upset. His lips quivered as he held back the tears while standing in a line. Sometimes, such anxiety is the result of untrue rumors circulated by others and Cadets’ incorrect perceptions of what boot camp is like, based on TV, movie and family member portrayals of the boot camp experiences of yesteryear.

PO3 Herbert, right center, serving as a boot camp Staff Cadet, checks Cadet S Thomas’ Seabag, with another Staff Cadet

Boot camp in today’s military is much more humane and respectful. Gone are the days of being belittled; being called a maggot and forced to do a zillion push-ups for punishment. The NSCC follows the military’s lead and regulations, requiring a much more respectful, Cadet-centric boot camp program.

A Midshipman, left, makes a point (in a respectful manner) to Cadet McKenzie

If It Is on the Seabag List, Make Sure You Have It. If It Isn’t on the List, You Donated It

Each training activity has a specified and detailed list of items required to be in the Cadet’s Seabag (duffel bag). The list is provided in advance of the training start date. The guidance is simple - if it is on list, they are required to have it and will need it at some point during the training. If it is not on the list, it is not needed and not allowed - it is considered contraband and removed from the site.

Staff Cadets empty the contents of Cadet E Eichler’s seabag, during inspection

Some training sites dispose of the items. Some training sites give the items back to the unit leaders, who then auction them off as part of a unit fundraiser; partly as a lesson learned for the Cadet and partly in fun, since most items are auctioned off and sold to the original Cadet-owner. Cadets pay for the items up for auction with cash (usually between $1 to $20 per item, with a I-Pod for example, commanding the higher price, while a T-Shirt with a Nike logo, for example, may get $1) or push-ups, sit-ups or a combination of all three.

Cadet A Leon-Franco happily shows off his new haircut

All of the money collected goes toward the purchase of ribbons, patches, ballcaps and other insignia items issued to the unit’s Cadets and adult volunteers.

When a Lock is Not Security

Cadets brought padlocks and combination locks to boot camp to secure their lockers. One Cadet had a hard time remembering the combination to his lock, so he solved the problem - he wrote the combination on the back of the lock!

The boot camp Midshipman points to the combination written on the back of Cadet Tong’s lock

While checking in at boot camp, some of the staff, including the Midshipman overseeing the Cadet staff, had a huge laugh when they discovered the lock. LT Cirone captured the moment in an image. Something for future memories and laughs, we are sure.

LT Zittre of the Taylor Division in Delaware gets Cadet Hallinan’s hair into conformance with regulations, as INST Plata smiles while looking on from outside, left in window

Let the Competition Begin

Once the recruit Cadets were checked in and had cleared administrative and medical screenings, they were assigned berthing; went to chow and began their training. While Cadet Herbert performed Master-At-Arms (MAA) duties, Cadets KA and KG Plata took charge of two of the recruit companies. They put the companies through close order drill and facing movements for over an hour, beginning to build teamwork and instilling a competitive spirit between the companies, toward meeting the goals of teaching the recruits how to march and perform close order drill, and trying to win the award of being the very best recruit company - the Honor Company. They were evenly matched, company against company; Sister against sister!

Cadet Plata, left, takes a recruit company through its paces during a Military Drill evolution

BOOT CAMP - SOUTHERN STYLE

Two days later, Cadets A Lan and H Lan headed south to Ft Jackson, SC to serve as Staff Cadets and the Physical Fitness trainers at the NSCC Recruit Training course. The Lans were soon followed by Cadet M Walsh, who is attending the boot camp as a recruit.

Cadet Farzam stands proudly during her first day at Boot Camp

In the weeks ahead, the unit will have other Cadets attending the NSCC boot camp at Ft Drum, NY; NLCC Recruit Training in Beach Haven, NJ and Sea Girt, NJ, plus a few Cadets serving as Staff Cadets for the NLCC Recruit Training course at Sea Girt in August 2008.

Additionally, a number of Cadets will be serving as Staff Cadets or attending as students, at Advanced Medical training at Ft Lewis, WA; Master-At-Arms training at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, NJ; Advanced Sailing school in Narragansett Bay, RI; Advanced Airman school at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL; Port Operations school at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA and a Homeland Security course in Quonset Point, RI, before summer’s end.

All in all, a busy summer for the unit and its personnel, but most importantly, a productive one, which should result in very positive results for the unit’s near and long-term futures, and without a doubt, the futures of all of the Cadets as it will enrich their lives and keep them away from drugs, gangs, alcohol, teenage pregnancy and other negative influences.