PRESIDENT'S FITNESS CHALLENGE

We are starting our annual President's Fitness Challenge this week.  Cadets who complete all 5 events with better than average scores when compared against their competitive group will be qualified to wear the NJROTC PT ribbbon.  Those with higher scores will qualify to wear distinctive devices--bronze for those who do better than 60 % of their competitive group, silver for those who do better than 70 % of their competitive group, and gold for those who do better than 85 % of their competitive group.  What's a competitive group?  Basically, boys compete against boys their age, girls compete against girls their age.  So, to qualify, a 16 year old male cadet would have to complete all five events with scores better than 50 % of the 16 year old males across the country.  This will be an ongoing event; in other words, if you don't quite qualify because of your score on the run, you may take the run again and try to better your score.  Good deal!

NEFE PROGRAM FOR NS 4'S

As mentioned in class today, Naval Science 4 cadets will complete the High School Financial Planning Program sponsored by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).  The program will be conducted along with our regular classwork over the next several weeks.  Each student received a student guide which will serve as a workbook and which will be turned in for grade.  The first unit, which we will cover this week, focuses on the benefits of sound financial planning.  The exercises in the first unit--really easy--should be completed by Monday, 6 December.

Thought:  The quote "Compound interest is the powerful force in the universe" is often incorrectly attributed to Albert Einstein.  Whether he really said it or not, it is an interesting quote.  What is compound interest?  It could make you a millionaire by the time you are ready for an early retirement!  This, of course, begs the question of what is compound interest.  You tell me. 

WOD FOR 29 AND 30 NOVEMBER

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break.  The WOD for the 29th and 30th is enigma, a noun meaning a puzzle or mystery.  Example:  Cadet Fedorka's erratic behavior was an enigma to her teachers. 

Here's a quiz open to anyone:  What is going on in the Yellow Sea right now?   Congratulations (again) to Cadet CPO Robert Ferguson who seems to be the only cadet with any initiative at all. 

WORDS OF THE DAY

For 24 November: Ambiguous, an adjective meaning unclear or doubtful in meaning.  Fedorka's ambiguous instructions misled the cadets; they did not know what to do.

For 29 November:  Emulate, a verb meaning to imitate; to rival.  In a brief essay, Fedorka described Schmuckatelli as person whose virtues he would like to emulate.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  And don't worry, school will still be here next week!

WEEKLY CHALLENGE FOR THANKSGIVING WEEK

Here's this week's challenge.  Because this is a short week, the challenge will expire at 0730 Monday, 29 November.  There will be a suitable prize.

For seniors:  Does North Korea have a right to develop nuclear weapons?  If you believe that they do not, why not?  If you believe that they do, do we have a right to stop them?  Be prepared to defend your answer.

For juniors:  You are OOD on a FFG on a course of 000 degrees.  At 0809 you spot a buoy 6 degrees off your starboard bow.  You check the radar and determine that the buoy is 1,000 yards or 1/2 NM ahead.  Assuming that you are making 10 knots good through the water and there is no set and drift, how far will the buoy be off your side when it passes abeam and when will that occur?  (Caution: We haven't discussed this in class, but you can apply what we have discussed in class and a bit of elemental geometry and come up with an easy solution.  Good luck.)

For FROSH:  Who is the highest ranking female in the United States Navy and what rank is she?  Describe the rank insignia she wears.  Congratulations (again) to C/CPO Robert Ferguson who correctly identified VADM Ann Rondeau as the senior female officer on active duty in the United States Navy as well as correctly describing her rank insignia.  Admiral Rondeau is the President of the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

FIRST PLACE IN ORIENTEERING!

On Saturday, 20 November, twenty seven Middletown High School NJROTC cadets braved the 50 degree weather and clear skies to participate in the Hudson Valley JROTC Orienteering Championship sponsored by the Hudson Valley Orienteering Club.  Congratulations to all the cadets who participated and who didn't get lost in the woods or eaten by a bear and especially to Cadets Michael Robertson and David Geer who, as a team, came in first place in the yellow course competition, the more difficult of the two courses. We also placed third in the white course (congrats to Cadets R. Crossland and T. Hudson) and second overall.  All participants completed training and a test and are now entitled to wear the NJROTC orienteering ribbon.  If you are interested, orienteering is a sport in which the competitors either hike or run using a detailed map and compass to find checkpoints placed in the woods.  Extremely competitive courses are often miles long and sometimes last overnight and take place in winter weather to add extra stress to the competition.  The course in which we participated was 2.3 kilometers in length through the very hilly ground of the Pelton Pond area of New York's Clarence Fahnestock State Park.   The WOD for 22 and 23 November is altruistic.  Altruistic is an adjective meaning unselfishly generous; concerned for others.  Example:  Giving to charity is an altruistic act.  Just in--ORIENTEERING PHOTOS:

First Place Winners, Yellow Course:  Cadets Michael Robertson and David Geer (Any resemblence to Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels, stars of "Dumb and Dumber" is purely coincidental!)

The whole ugly bunch

Pelton Pond

A stream feeding Pelton Pond, typical of the terrain we encountered.

Clueless and Clueless-er

UNIFORM AND INSIGNIA ISSUE PROCESS

Now that we have most people outfitted with uniforms, we can start getting ready for our annual inspection. 

When you need a uniform item, fill out a form available from the rack in the back  of the classroom.  There is a form for insignia and ribbons, a form for uniform items such as shoes, covers, and shirts, and a separate form to report the loss of an item.  Uniform items, including ribbons, will no longer be issued on a "walk-in anytime" basis.  We will issue items during office hours on Tuesdays from 2:30 until 3:15 PM.  During this time, you may present a form and get "while-u-wait" service.  At any other time, simply properly fill out the form and your request will be processed with 24 to 48 hours unless tailoring is required.  If tailoring is required you obviously must be present for a fitting.  This process will minimize confusion, so think ahead and be a part of the solution.  If you need something for Thursday's weekly uniform inspection, you need to be thinking about it the week before, or Tuesday the week of at the latest.

A big word of caution:  You are responsible for the uniform items we issued to you.  While we will replace lost, stolen, or damaged items, you will pay the posted replacement cost, as some cadets already know.  We will, of course, replace items that you have outgrown or which have become unserviceable through normal wear and tear at no cost to you.  The bottom line:  BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR UNIFORM.

UNIFORM INSPECTION

Here are a couple of quick comments on today's weekly uniform inspection:

1. Military bearing is important.  You will be at the position of "at ease" until the inspector approaches.  You should then go to "attention."  Answer questions with "Sir" or "Ma-am."  Don't roll your eyes or move.  If a discrepancies is pointed out, don't break your bearing to look. 
2. Too many cadets need hair cuts.  Some girls need to pay a bit more attention to arranging their hair for the inspection.
3. Shoes need attention.
4. Some males are putting their belts on backwards.
5. Rig you uniform the night before--do it at home in good lighting and get it right.  Check the placement of your J-bar, ribbons, and name tag.
6. Read the guidance on exactly how to rig your uniform--it's in you Cadet Reference Manual.  You can also find all the info you need on our unit website.
7. Learn your general knowledge.
8. Listen to the word that is put out.
9. The WOD for 18/19 November is alleviate, a verb meaning to relieve.  This should alleviate the problem; if it does not, we will try something else.

WORD OF THE DAY FOR 18 NOVEMBER

The WOD for 18 November is apathy (n.), meaning a lack of caring; indifference.  Example:  A particularly squared-away individual, Fedorka could not believe the apathy of piggy cadets who never bothered to shine their nasty shoes.

ROBERT FERGUSON MEMORIAL WEEKLY CHALLENGE

Congratulations to C/CPO Robert Ferguson who correctly identified the Jack o' the Dust as the petty officer in charge of breaking food out of the ship's reefer (deep freeze). 

Here's this week's weekly "one size fits all" challenge:  Describe the duties of the Jack o' the Dust.  This challenge expires at 0730 Friday, 19 November.  There will be a prize.  First come, first served.

Don't forget the Name the Ugly Baby Contest.

HOW TO GET PROMOTED

So you want to “rank up”?  Do you know how cadets are selected for promotion and assignment to positions of higher rank, or do you just assume that it happens automatically?  Here’s a quick overview of how we actually choose cadets for promotion and what you can do to get rank...
(Go to the full article on our unit website at https://sites.google.com/site/middletownnynjrotc/unit-military-matters.  Look for the attached document.)

WEEKLY UINIFORM INSPECTIONS, SECOND MARKING PERIOD

We're in the second marking period now and the weekly uniform inspections are starting again this week.  Every cadet--especially those taking independent studies--MUST be present at each inspection unless excused, whether in uniform or not.  If you miss a uniform day, you should make it up.  Wearing you uniform and ensuring your grade is recorded is your responsibility.  If you come in late, remember to see an instructor with a pass.  Each student will be allowed to make one uniform day this marking period.  Here's a summary of how you will be graded:

• 0 for a no-show with no acceptable excuse.
• 5 if you show up at the weekly inspection not in uniform.  Can be converted to a 7 later if you make it up the same week.
• 6 for being in uniform with significant problems (hair, shave, shoes, etc.).  Note that a grade of 5 or less may be assigned for gross uniform violations.
• 7 for appearing in an average looking uniform.
• 8 for an above average (everything looks good, you know your required general knowledge, and you have good bearing)
• 9 for an exceptional showing.
• 10 for an exceptional showing validated by an instructor.

There will be 10 grades available, 9 mandatory and one make-up or extra-credit.  Inspections will be on the following dates:

• 18 NOV (Thu.)
• 23 NOV (Tues., the last full day before Thanksgiving break.) 
• 2 DEC (Thu.)
• 9 DEC (Thu.  Drill team members going to the Naugatuck Drill Meet will be in school attire so as to prepare an inspection ready uniform.) 
• 16 DEC (Thu.)
• 22 Dec (Tues., the full day before winter break.)
• 6 Jan (Thu. Drill team members going to the MLK Drill Meet will be in school attire so as to prepare an inspection ready uniform.)
• 13 Jan (Thu.)
• A make-up/extra credit day to be arranged individually with you instructor.

WASHINGTONVILLE DRILL MEET

On Saturday, 13 November our drill team competed against cadets from 13 other schools at the annual invitational drill meet hosted by Washingtonville High School.  Stop the press:  The WOD for 16 November is anarchist (n.):  a person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishining authority.  Example:  Denying he was an ararchist, Feck maintained he only wanted to make the government better, not destroy it.  Back to our story:  Events at the drill meet included armed and unarmed squad, personnel inspection, and color guard.  The official results will be posted on the unit web site as son as we get them, but it is fair to say we would have done better if unit leaders had memorized the drill cards.  Here are some photos:



Getting off the bus.






Room 225--our home base for the meet.

Discussing the schedule of events.

Preparations

Armed squad

"Game Face"

VETERANS' DAY TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

Over 75 Middletown Cadets [this would be where our unit name would go if we had one!] were on the road to New York City for the 91st annual Veteran's Parade, traditionally the largest in the country.  As a unit, we looked particularly good--our cadets were well-turned out in the correct uniform and stood by in good order awaiting the ceremony and start of the parade itself.  The event was attended by Governor Patterson, Representative Rangel, Mayor Bloomberg, and a host of other dignitaries.  It was the best Veterans' Day weather-wise in recent years by far; the weather was clear and the temps were in the 50s.  Before the ceremony the cadets had the opportunity to explore the area Madison Square Park in small groups.  There were participants from all over, including a large contingent of Korean veterans from both the Republic of Korea Navy and Army.  We were honored to be asked to carry a garrison flag--a very large flag (20 feet by 38 feet) that would normally be flown on the tallest flag pole of an army fort--in the lead division of the parade.  The flag weighed over 100 pounds and it took nearly all of our cadets to control it when the breeze caught it.  On the way back we stopped at Palisades Mall for an early dinner where prodigious quantities of sugar and other health foods were consumed by our hungry cadets.  A vote was taken and, Commander Wall casting 51% of the votes, the radio was not played on the bus on the way back.  The following pictures were taken by Cadet Evan Camacho:

Governor Patterson

Not Governor Patterson

Either an American Bald Eagle or a really "cut" parakeet

The Empire State Building.  If you look closely you will note that King Kong was not in residence.

Not King Kong

The famous Flat Iron Building.



The garrison flag




Another view of the garrison flag



MHS NJROTC banner and color guard



MHS Cadet Color Guard





The Evil Doer



WORD OF THE DAY FOR MONDAY, 15 NOVEMBER

The WOD for 15 November is:  Ambivalence (n.): the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitude.  Example:  Torn between the desire to stay up all night playing video games and the need to study for quarterly exams, Fedorka was confused by the ambivalence of his feelings.

WORD OF THE DAY FOR 10 NOVEMBER

To find today's WOD go to the Unit Military Matters section of our unit website.

AND THE MAGIC WORD IS...

Every day I will place a Word of the Day ("WOD") somewhere either in plain sight here in the blog or in our unit website.  If I place it in the unit website, I will provide a cue so you can find it.  The first person to report the WOD to me gets a prize (a small prize), but everyone else must also know it.  Why am I doing this?  First, the words I select are often found in the SAT exam, if you want to go to college you should know them.  Second, I want you all to get in the habit of checking the blog and website for the most recent news and this is my way of capturing your attention.  Today's WOD is hypocritical, an adjective meaning pretending to be virtuous; deceiving.  Example:  Believing Fedorka to interested only in his own advancement, Scroggins resented his hypocritical posing as a friend. 

NAME THE UGLY BABY CONTEST

Let's have a contest!  The NJROTC unit at dear old Middletown High School needs a name and motto.  Here are the rules:

1. Any cadet may submit an entry.  Multiple entries WILL be accepted.  The name of the submitting cadet must be included on each entry.
2. Each entry must be submitted on a separate sheet of paper and must be legible and grammatically correct.
3. The name (or nickname) should be short--one or two words--something we could put on a flag, banner, and letterhead.
4. The motto may be longer, but should not be more than 10 words.  Latin is acceptable.
5. A contestant need not, but may, submit both a nickname and motto.
6. A board consisting of the company commander and at least two other cadets will select three nicknames and mottoes.  This board, together with the SNSI and NSI shall make the final choice.
7. All entries must be received by 19 November.  A decision will be made by 19 November.  All decision will be final.
8. There will be a prize.  You will like it.

Now "turn to."

NEW WEEKLY CHALLENGE, WEEK OF 8 NOVEMBER

Here's the challenge for the week of 8 November: This challenge is now closed.

Seniors:  Who is likely to become the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives?  Congratulations to C/CPO D. Levien who correctly identified the presumptive Speaker as Rep. John Boehner.  

Juniors:  Name the ship on which the closest thing to a mutiny in the U.S. Navy actually occurred.  No, it was not the Amistad!  The correct answer:  The Brig of War, USS Somers, 1842, en route to the United States from a Mediterranean deployment. 

Sophomores:  This is more of a contest--Come up with the most interesting quotation you can find.  From the quotations submitted, I will select the one that I consider most interesting.  Congratulations to Cadet Robert Ferguson who submitted a number of interesting entries.  One of my favorites:  "A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons." - Admiral David Porter, USN  (It is a documented fact that the United States government, sometime after Admiral Porter's remarks, commissioned the development of Velcro specifically to avoid the need for buttons on garments.  Thin about it.)

Freshmen:  Who is third in the line of succession to the presidency of the United States?  (Second if you don't include the president.)  Congratulations to C/SA Jorge Esquivel who correctly identified the Speaker of the House as being third in line. 

This challenge will close out at 0730 on Friday 12 November.  Remember, there is no school on Friday. 

AIR RIFLE

The sporter air rifle  marksmansmanship team sponsored by Middletown American Legion Post 151 will start its annual season on Monday, 15 November.  Meet in the upper room of the American Legion promptly at 6 PM, bring paperwork and money.

COMPANY DINING-IN, MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2010

This past Monday we conducted our 3rd annual dining-in at Post 151 of the American Legion.  The event was the official welcome of our new cadets into the unit.  Over 80 cadets attended, our largest turn-out, a remarkable fact considering only 54 signed up (if you didn't catch it there's a message hidden here!).  We almost ran out food--never a good thing--and, pressed by the need to get out of the Legion Hall early to allow time to set up for Tuesday's polling station to be set up, we compressed our usually sedate schedule of events and, unfortunately, missed the platoon skits.  Nevertheless, the food was good, and our new mess mates learned a couple of the finer points of military tradition and service etiquette.  We also recognized the cadets of the month for October (Tiffany Parker, Samantha Migliori, and Jonathan Gomez) and promoted 18 cadets into positions of greater leadership including new platoon chief petty officers R. Ferguson, D. Levien, and T. Rousey; platoon guides D. Geer, E. Mann, and F. Rodriguez; as well as nine new squad leaders and three assistant squad leaders.  Beyond the sing-along conducted by Cadet Evan Camacho, it would be hard to pick out the highlight of the evening, but here are a few of the many images:

Cadet Adam Ballar, "Mr. Vice," seated with all his friends.

Commander Wall does one more push than the company CO.

Sometimes you catch two deer in the headlights!

Master Sergeant charges cadets to learn "Anchors Aweigh" by the Military Ball.

Upperclass recognition and promotions.

A platoon table.  (Sugar Smacks?  Wipers? Vanilla Wafers?)

Who knows?

IN-HOUSE DRILL MEET, SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER 2010

Members of the MHS NROTC Drill Team participated in the annual "in-house" drill meet on Saturday, 30 October 2010 in preparation for our first competitive meet this year, the Washingtonville High School AJROTC Invitational.  Spirits were high, strengths and weaknesses were identified, and we're getting ready for the intense competition sponsored by WHS's "Magic Battalion."  We have many more, but here are a few of the better images of the in-house:

Feck the fearless:  "If I only had a clue!"

Unarmed Platoon

Color Guard

Reporting In to SSGT Rios, US Army

Individual Knock Out