NEW CHALLENGE AND AN UGLY BABY

Here's the latest challenge.  Don't feel bad if you don't get it.

Backcountry Weights and Measures

Here's the solution to the challenge below:  1 lbs, 3 lbs, 9 lbs, and 27 lbs.  Think about it.  No winner.  Cadet Ferguson came close, but no cigar.

As you may know, as a young man Abraham Lincoln was a clerk at a country store (kind of like working at a Cumberland Farm today). He had a balance scale and a 40 pound weight he used to weigh grain, feed, and other goods for his customers, the trouble was it could weigh only one weight (40 lbs). One day he loaned the 40 pound weight to a farmer. A couple of days later the farmer, whose name was Fedorka, returned and, apologizing, said he broke the weight into four pieces.  Lincoln, being smarter than the average MHS cadet, discover that it wasn’t so bad since now, using just the four pieces and the balance scale, the weight of any item between 1 and 40 pounds could be determined to the nearest one pound. Question: What were the weights?

Good luck.  This challenge will expire at 0730, Monday, 31 October.

How 'bout that ugly baby contest?  Where are the inputs?

"One day I'll be a cadet!"

OMNIBUS BLOG POST

An omnibus was a horse drawn covered cart that followed a regular route around town--it was called an omnibus because it would take almost anyone almost anywhere.  When Congress passes an act that addresses many issues they call it an omnibus because, like an omnibus, it is so versatile.  Since I will address many issues today, you can think of this as an omnibus blog posting.  Hang on, here we go:

* Our Dining-in is scheduled for Tuesday, 1 November at the American Legion at 185 Waywayanda Avenue.  This dining-in is an special annual event during which the freshman class is officially recognized as members of the NJROTC unit.  The evening features a traditional entrance, parading of the beef, formal and informal toasting, a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony, and frivolity controlled by Mr. Vice.  Everyone is expected to attend.

* Annual Pushup challenge.  We are participating again in the national annual pushup challenge.  We are planning on doing at least 58,276 pushups between 11 November and 30 May in memory of our Soldiers, Saliors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives in the Vietnam conflict.  We have established a supplemental goal of reaching 100,000 pushups by the end of the year.  Cadets may participate in this effort on a voluntary basis at the start or conclusion of each class.

* Commander's Cup Competition.  You've all seen the occasional challenges I post on this site.  Winners of this challenge will be eligible to participate in the Commander's Cup competition and will be recognized during the year end awards ceremony.  Those eligible so far:  Cadets Ferguson, Lloyd, Soriano, and Barone.  Good luck. 

* Bethel Drill Meet.  We will participate in the annual Bethel High School NJROTC Invitational Drill Meet on Saturday, 19 November.  If you are a member of the drill team, make plans now.  Don't show up needing a haircut, shave, missing uniform items, or not having a clue.

* A continuation board will be convened shortly to consider whether those holding cadet staf billets will continue in their jobs.  Those whoa re relieved will revert to their class rank and the billets will become open and available for others to fill.  Selections will be made based on the ability of the cadet to fill the billet.

* Tricky Tray.  Our annual Tricky Tray has been rescheduled to Friday, 2 December.  This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and everyone is expected to participate.

* Finally, the Ugly Baby continues.  Where are all the entries?

* Unit website.  Get used to checking the unit website for information, including our schedule of events, academic information and assignments, general knowlege, and other useful things.  Don't be clueless.

A SIMPLE CHALLENGE

Congratulation to Cadet Dylan Sierra who correctly indentified a skyhook as a fanciful device by which something could be suspended in the air, elevated to new heights, or seemingly magically pulled from a bad situation.

Here's a short, straightforward challenge open to everyone:

What is a "skyhook"?

This challenge closes at 0730 Wednesday 19 October.

ANOTHER SIGHTING

There's been another ugly baby sighting...don't forget that it still needs a name!

Must be a baby picture of one of our cadets because this kid needs a haircut!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, USN

The United States Navy traces it's lineage to 13 October 1775, the date it was established by an act of the Continental Congress.  Every year members of the Navy, former members, retirees, and family members celebrate the occasion.  Oftentimes the celebration takes the form of a formal ball, sometimes it takes the form of a mess night, and still other times it is observed with a cake-cutting ceremony when the junior and senior member of the crew share the responsibility of cutting the birthday cake.  More information is available at:  http://www.history.navy.mil/birthday.htm 

It is ironic that while the Navy was born as a result of the American Revolution we share so many traditions with Britain's Royal Navy.  Beyond those, we share a broad set of traditions with all the other navies of the world and still more with mariners of all sorts the world around.  As a cadet, you are invited to share in the traditions we honor everyday.

Happy Birthday!

REMEMBER THE UGLY BABY!

Could this be the Cadet Master Chief?


DON'T FORGET THE UGLY BABY!

Don't forget the ugly baby contest--help us name the unit!

2ND ANNUAL NAME THE UGLY BABY CONTEST

Announcing the 2nd Annual "Name the Ugly Baby Contest." 

The NJROTC unit at dear old Middletown High School STILL needs a name and motto. Here are the rules:


Any cadet may submit an entry. Multiple entries WILL be accepted. The name of the submitting cadet must be included on each entry.

Each entry must be submitted on a separate sheet of paper and must be legible and grammatically correct.

The name (or nickname) should be short--one or two words--something we could put on a flag, banner, and letterhead.

The motto may be longer, but should not be more than 10 words. Latin is acceptable. The winning entry will be better than my current favorite, "Non fare brutta figura."

A contestant need not, but may, submit both a nickname and motto.

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.

All entries must be received by 4 November. A decision will be made by 4 November. All decision will be final.

There will be a prize. You will like it.

Now "turn to."

New Cadet Survey

Are you a new cadet?  Help us out.  Take a minute and complete a short, anonymous survey.  Go to this link and follow the directions. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TG2QK22

Thanks!

OPEN HOUSE--DON'T FORGET!

The annual Middletown High School Open House will be held this Wednesday, 5 October, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  Please invite your parents to stop by the NJROTC class room and meet the Boosters.