HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Hey hey, what a day--the last day of class before the break!  Not that much work was done:

Two Whos

First Period, Naval Science IV, plus one 

GET READY

Here's a short list of what will hit us soon after the winter break:

1. The Martin Luther King Drill Meet, 17 January
2. Senior leadership papers, 21 January
3. The end of the second marking period, 28 January
4. Our annual Area Manager's Inspection, 9 February

Are you ready?  There's a pile of other stuff just after all of this--the Military Ball, more drill meets, the orientation trip (if there is one), to name a few.  The rest of the year will pass fast than you can imagine.  For you seniors, get ready to graduate.  For you juniors, get ready to be seniors, apply for college or make other plans for life after high school.  For sophomores and freshmen, get ready to move up and all that moving up implies.  What this means, distilled into the plainest language, is that if you want to be treated as an adult, you must start to act like one.  Good luck with that!

THE WHOS VISIT MHS

You just can't make this stuff up!  (This short video clip might not load...good luck with it.)

...and to all a good night!  See you in 2011.

NEW WEEKLY CHALLENGE

This weekly challenge shall extend through the holiday break.  To claim your prize (2 bonus points!), be prepared to demonstrate your skill upon return to class in January. 

For Seniors:  Tie FOUR knots, bends, or hitches, including either the carrick bend or the blood knot.  [Cadet Trevor Coleman is ineligible for this challenge.]  Congratulations to Cadet Justin "Lunch Bucket" Lucchese who successfully tied BOTH the blood knot and the carrick bend, as well as a square knot and an overhand knot.  When he tied the carrick bend, he looked like a little kitten playing with a ball of yarn--which is why I have a dog.

For Juniors:  Tie THREE knots, bends, or hitches, including the triple overhand knot, and either the clove hitch or the bowline.

For Sophomores:  Tie any THREE knots, bends, or splices recognized in a published reference.

For Freshmen:  Tie both a square knot and a fisherman's knot. 

Incidentally, the WOD for 20 and 21 December is esoteric.  Esoteric is an adjective meaning hard to understand; known only to the chosen few.  Example:  The New Yorker short stories often include esoteric allusions to obscure people and events.  For today only, the first cadet of whatever class to find me and tell me the WOD will receive a prize of one bottle of water. 

TO OUR OVERSEAS READERS

As I edit this blog, I note with pleasure and some considerable surprise that we have attracted a small but noticeable number of overseas readers.  Welcome aboard and please keep in touch!

WORD OF THE DAY: "SATISFICE"

Listen up you lazy cadets:  The word of the day for 17 through 20 December is satisfice.  Satisfice is not a standard SAT vocabulary word, rather it is a personal selection on my part based on an increasing concern about the general state of cadet motivation in our unit.  Satisfice is a verb meaning to decide on and to pursue a course of action satisfying only the minimum requirements to achieve a goal rather than trying to excel.  To satisfice is to take the easiest way or to pick the easiest solution, regardless what's best.  A manager will choose to saticfice when the goal is not considered worth the effort of trying harder.  When high school students attempt to satisfice they do the bare minimum to get by; for example, they might just through a few words together to answer a homework question.  Their answer, while not reflecting any real work, would count as a check in the block and keep them out of trouble.  When you merely satisfice, it is very obvious and you lose respect.  If you want to do well in ROTC, you must do more than merely satisfice.

VPI CADET VISITS MHS NJROTC

On Thursday, 16 December Cadet Femi Ibitoye of Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets visited the cadets of Middletown High School.  Cadet Ibitoye, an architecture major, who as a member of Virgina Tech's leadership program , will also receive a minor in leadership, spent the entire day with us and, for each class, discussed college choices, the application process, life as a college student, various aspects of Virginia Tech's unique leadership program, and, based on his experience as a relative newcomer from Nigeria, life in America as it compares to other parts of the world.  What were the big lessons?  First, preparation counts--even as early as 9th grade.  Second, success requires discipline ["Success isn't luck, it is a well organized plan."].  Third, leadership is a skill, really a set of skills, that can be developed through a formal process such as ROTC.  And finally, skill as a leader, especially when combined with experience, is a valuable commodity, one that employers will seek out and pay for--which explains why someone would choose to take a minor in leadership and why a world-renowned college would offer such an option. 

WHOEVER THOUGHT HE WAS SERIOUS?

For the last few days you may have heard me rumbling about gear adrift/A.K.A. trash/A.K.A. your stuff collecting in the back of the classroom in a big nasty pile.  With a pair of rubber gloves and malice in my heart I have placed it in the gear adrift box.  On Friday--this Friday--the gear adrift box will be emptied.

Here's the gouge ("gouge" means reliable information):  The classroom is not your locker, your bedroom, or closet.  I found several pairs of shoes, one pair of black socks, two bags full of gym gear (dirty gym gear), not to mention a garrison cover (I won't mention whose!), and not one but two $80 short-waist jackets.  Also found was a world history textbook that has been here and unopened since at least October--tough to pass (at least it ought to be) if you don't read the book.  I do not want to live in other people's trash.  You may leave your gear here during the day if you are neat and discreet, but the ROTC classroom is not your auxiliary locker.

Also, at least three cadets have been charged $$$ so far this year for loosing covers.  They run about $10 a piece.  Be careful with your uniform gear--it really isn't yours.  The Navy supplies it for your use.  You get one set, which you must return when you leave the program.  If the items is no longer serviceable due to normal wear and tear, we will replace it at no cost to you, just bring in the old item for an exchange.  If you loose it, or damage it through negligence, you will have to complete a form, have it signed by your parent or guardian, and bring in a check in the required amount made payable to the United States Treasury.  I can't wait until someone has to bring in a check for $80 because they can't find their short-waist jacket!

Cadets:  Square-away now!  You can do better.

WORD OF THE DAY AND CADET CHALLENGE

The WOD for 16 and 17 December is condone.  Condone is a verb meaning to overlook; to forgive; to give tacit approval; or to excuse. Example:  Unlike others who condoned Fedorka's inappropriate behavior, the NJROTC instructors were constantly correcting him. 

Here's a one-size-fits-all challenge:  Who was the only officer to hold five-star rank in both the Army and Air Force?  (Hint:  It wasn't General MacArthur!)  The winner of this challenge will receive 2 cadet bonus points.  Congratulations to Cadet Daniel Levien who answered correctly that General of Army (and later General of the Air Force) was the only officer to hold that rank in both services.

On behalf of the Middletown High School NJROTC in Middletown, NY, welcome to our friends in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Croatia, and everywhere else around the world!

NAVAL SCIENCE 3 CADETS STUDY NAVIGATION

As part of the Naval Science 3 curriculum, cadets are introduced to basic marine navigation.  They learn basic definitions, the primary concerns of the navigator, and the four main types of navigation.  Since navigation is both and art and a science, cadets actually put the theories they have learned into practice through a series practical exercises including plotting, piloting, and celestial observations.   The answers are nothing short of amazing!

Practical navigation work

FORMER MHS NJROTC CADETS VISIT

Former Cadets Desiree Ortega (class of '09) and Ricky Maldonado (class of '08) recently returned to visit.  Desiree--you can call her Midshipman Ortega--is now a freshman at Norfolk State University majoring in Political Science.  Ricky is a corporal in the United States Marine Corps stationed in Iwakuni, Japan were he is an aviation supply specialist.  MIDN Ortega was our Battalion Commander and CPL Maldonado commanded "A" Company.  It's always nice to see old friends!

Corporal Ricky Maldonado (left) holding the old "A" Company guidon and
MIDN Desiree Ortega holding our unit guidon.

JOSEPH E. GILLIAM AWARD TOPIC ANNOUNCED

The Commander of the Naval Service Training Command has announced the essay topic for the annual Joseph C. Gilliam Academic Award sponsored by the Admiral Senn Foundation.  The award is presented in honor of Captain Joseph C. Gilliam, an early supporter of the Navy's JROTC program.  This year's topic is "The Navy JROTC has helped me develop a clear understanding of the necessity of good citizenship."  Submissions should provide personal examples of growth through the experiences provided by participation in  the NJROTC program.  Essays must be 500 to 750 words, typed, grammatically correct, and free of format errors. 

The award is open to seniors in good standing with overall grade point averages equivalent  to 3.5 or better.  Note that while there is an essay requirement, the award itself is based on overall academic standing and is strongly dependent on the SNSI's recommendation. One winner will be selected from amongst all the entries received at Area Four and a prize of $1,000.00 (before taxes--welcome to the real world!) will be awarded. 

Essays should be submitted to the SNSI for consideration not later than Friday, 21 January 2011.  Early  inputs are encouraged. 

NAUGATUCK DRILL MEET

On Saturday, 11 December, the Middletown NJROTC Mid-City Maybes (our motto:  "We Might"!) travelled to Naugatuck High School to participate in the Naugatuck AFJROTC Invitational Drill Meet.  The team participated in Armed Platoon, Un-armed Platoon, Personnel Inspection, New Cadet Basic, an academic challenge, and Individual Knockout.  Congratulations to the stalwarts of the freshman drill team who took 3rd place against a field of tweleve other schools.  Bravo Zulu and keep charging!

Cadet/LTJG presents the armed platoon team.

The armed platoon team.

Cadet/LCDR Justin Lucchese in formation with the armed platoon team.

C/SN Jonathan Gomez [note correction--my apologies] and the New Cadet team.

Personnel Inspection

Un-armed Team

Cadet/LCDR Justin Lucchese and the MHS Color Guard
standing for the closing ceremony

Individual Knock-out

CHALLENGE

Here's the weekly challenge for the week of 13 December:

For seniors:  Name the first of three colonels we have discussed in class.  What type of motivational technique did he employ?

For Juniors:  Who won the famous Longitude Prize?  How did he do it?  (Note that by using the pronoun "he," I have simplified your problem by removing roughly half of the possible answer--could I make it any easier?)

For FROSH:  How far can you walk into a forest?

This challenge will expire at 0730 17 December.  The winner for each class will receive a handsome, suitable for framing, certificate.  Good luck.

AHRC BLANKET DRIVE

Just a reminder:  we are collecting warming blankets for the AHRC.  The drive will close out on 14 December.  To date, we have just two blankets donated--that's a pretty poor showing.  Come on, get 'em in!

The WOD for 10/11/12/13/14 December is concise.  Concise is an adjective meaning brief and compact.  Example:  Short and directly on point, Fedorka's answer was admirably concise

SOUTHWINDS RETIREMENT HOME VISIT

A large group of MHS Cadets visited Middletown's Southwinds Retirement Home after school on Wednesday, 8 December.  The cadets spent a couple of hours playing games, trading stories,and just visiting with the residents.  BZ to all who took time to bring a little pleasure into the lives of others!

Incidentally, the WOD for 9 and 10 December is disparity.  Disparity is a noun meaning a difference or a condition of inequality.  Example: Their disparity in rank meant no difference at all to the prince and Cinderella. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

We're getting to crunch time--there's will be a lot going on over the next few months and, with that in mind, let's take a moment to review the most important items:

1. Naugatuck Drill meet, 11 December.  Will we stay on track to meet our unit goals?
2. Continuing NJROTC Fitness Challenge.  We'll fit in another run when we can and will continue with the events we can easily conduct inside.  Remember, doing well on the fitness challenge benefits you (you get a medal) and the unit (it's a goal).  Plus, you stay healthy.
3. Continuing National Push-up Challenge.  We're behind, but we're catching up.  Do 10 or 20 push-ups a day and make sure I get them recorded.
4. College and scholarship applications.  Seniors should be finishing their applications.  Juniors should be well into the process of deciding where they might want to go and what they might want to study--and studying for the SATs!
5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Drill Meet, 17 January 2011.  This is the big one for us.  Will we do well?
6. Second marking period ends, 28 January.  Be sure to have your work in.  Freshmen, you are now 1/8 of the way through high school.  You are no longer brand new 9th graders--by now you should have a clue.  On a unit level, the big question is will we make our goal of having 25% of the unit on the Honor Roll?
7. Area Manager's Inspection (AMI), 9 February.  This is the BIG HAIRY EVENT.  The AMI is MANDATORY for ALL CADETS.  There will be a formal personnel inspection and a ceremonial pass-in-review.  Family and friends are invited.
8. Other important stuff:
• Bowl-a-thon (February)
• Tricky Tray Auction (Spring)
• Military Ball (9 March)
• Orientation Trip (April)
• Independent studies:  Get-r-Done!
• Weekly uniform inspections and general knowlege.  Learn it, love it, live it.
• "Ranking up."  Want to be a cadet seaman?  Come in for the test.  No give-aways, though.
• Billet selection process. 

CONGRATULATIONS C/CPO ROBERT FERGUSON

Cadet Ferguson correctly answered three of the five questions asked below.  The correct answers are provided in red. 

1.  You are the navigator on the USS Neversail. Why would you send one of your quartermasters to get a can of relative bearing grease? ("RBG")  Relative bearing grease, like HT punches, boxes of grid squares, and mail buoys do not exisit.  Hence, you might send a new sailor to find a can of RBG as a gentle joke on the new guy.

2.  Is there such a thing as left-handed monkey wrench?  Yes there is, Richard Mckenna made one--see his short story the "Left Handed Monkey Wrench."

3.  I ask "How long have you been a Cadet"? What do you answer?


All me bloomin' life, sir! Me mother was a mermaid, me father was King Neptune. I was born on the crest of a wave and rocked in the cradle of the deep. Seaweed and barnacles are me clothes. Every tooth in me head is a marlinspike; the hair on me head is hemp. Every bone in me body is a spar, and when I spits, I spits tar! I'se hard, I is, I am, I are.  [The correct answer may be found in the Rocks and Shoals page of our unit website.]



4.  Why are there no crow's feet on ships? (At least in theory--in practice, of course, there are often many.)

A crow's foot is a device used to turn a sticking or tight valve hand wheel.  Theya re illegal because they could damage the valve. [This was a gimme.]

5.  What would you find in the ship's manger?  Anchor chain.  [This was a hard one.]

Good luck!

PEARL HARBOR REMEMBERED

In remembrance of the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Mr. Paul Freely, a history teacher here at Middletown High School, presented the cadets of the NJROTC a detailed 1/350 scale model of the USS Arizona as she appeared in December 1941.  The Arizona was one of the battleships that was sunk on that "Day that will live in Infamy."  Over 1,000 crew members remain entombed therein.  The ship is now a national monument and remains where she was moored on that fateful day and, although no longer still in commission, is still very much an honored part of the United States Navy.  Over the last year Mr. Freely has very kindly donated a number of hand-built models of famous Navy ships, including the U.S.S. Hornet which launched Lt. Col. (later Major General) James Dolittle's famous raid on Japan, President Kennedy's PT-109, and a number of modern ships.  Thank you, Mr. Freely, for helping us remember.  The models can be seen in the NJROTC classroom. 

Mr. Freely present the model of the U.S.S. Arizona to Cadets Parker Robertson, and Noriega.

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. 
The white structure is perpendicular to the ship, which you can see settled into the mud of Pearl Harbor. 

TIFFANY'S FOLLY

After two and a half years as a cadet, after rising to the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade and serving as Company Operations Officer, after three months of Naval Science III, this represents the sum of Tiffany Parker's acquired knowledge:



The U.S.S. Banana, an amphibious ship envisioned by C/LTJG Tiffany Parker
(Note the very handy wheels!)



WORD OF THE DAY

The WOD for 7 and 8 December is disparage.  Disparage is a verb meaning to belittle.  Example:  The Senior Naval Science Instructor was more likely to disparage Feck's ridiculous attempts than to praise them. 

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!

Word of the Day, 6 and 7 December

The WOD for 6 and 7 December is eclectic.  Eclectic is an adjective meaning composed of elements drawn from disparate sources.  Example:  The reviewers praised the restaurant's eclectic selection of dishes, which ranged from Asian stir fries to French ragouts and stew. 

AN OPEN CHALLENGE

Here is a challenge open to all.  The challenge is open-ended, there is no time limit--at least none imposed now.  I can afford to be generous, because none of you will be able to claim the prize!  Before I present the challenge itself, here are the rules:
- The challenge is, as mentioned, open to all, but only a MHS NJROTC cadet may actually receive the prize.  An outside winner will simply receive a public acknowledgement.  There is but one prize.
- The challenge will run until I grow weary of your feeble attempts to win.
- There are five questions.  The first person to correctly answer any three wins.
- Scoundrels who attempt to guess will be disqualified.

Here are the challenges:

1. You are the navigator on the USS Neversail.  Why would you send one of your quartermasters to get a can of relative bearing grease?  ("RBG")
2. Is there such a thing as left-handed monkey wrench?
3. I ask "How long have you been a Cadet"?  What do you answer?
4. Why are there no crow's feet on ships? (At least in theory--in practice, of course, there are often many.)
5. What would you find in the ship's manger?

Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS MHS NJROTC COLOR GUARD

At the regular December 2nd meeting of the Middletown Board of Education at Middletown High School, the following cadets were honored for their service as members of the cadet color guard that presented the colors during the NYSPHAA's New York State Boys' Soccer Championship Games:

• C/LTJG Trevor Coleman
• C/LCDR Justin Lucchese
• C/LTJG Tiffany Parker
• C/MCPO Jessica Glickman
• C/CPO Robert Ferguson
• C/LT Adam Ballard

Congratulations to all--great job!

MHS NJCIS TEAM MOBILIZED TO FIND THE MIDDIE BEAR

As you may know, the Middie Bear, beloved mascot of Middletown High School, has been bear-napped.  Middie Bear's current status and whereabouts are unknown and, at the request of the senior administration, the Middletown NJCIS has been directed to find the bear and return it to safety.  Cadet Lieutenant Commander Justin "Lunch Bucket" Lucchese has been appointed Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bear Recovery Team (BRT).  Any cadet with knowledge of the bear's whereabouts or any other useful information should contact Lunch Bucket immediately.  Do not attempt to arrest the perpetrator yourself.  Be careful out there.  Stay tuned for news as it develops.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST CADET SEAMAN!

Congratulations to newly promoted Cadet Seaman L. Rutland--the first freshman to be promoted to that rank this year.  We'll probably have a couple of other new cadet seamen later today, but there's only room  for one number one!  BZ!

The Word of the Day for 2 and 3 December is duplicity.  Duplicity is a noun meaning double dealing or hypocrisy.  Example:  When the Cadet-in-Charge learned that Fedorka was really not attending detention and therefore should have been at drill, he was furious at his duplicity.

DAILY CHALLENGE

Here's a question for any cadet--a "video daily double"--what's wrong with the following picture:

For Sheme!

By the way, the WOD for 1 and 2 December is dogmatic.  Dogmatic is an adjective meaning opinionated, arbitrary, or doctrinal.  Example:  We tried to discourage Scroggins from being so dogmatic, but could never convince him that his opinions might be wrong.