- We're going to the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, VA, Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, PA.
- Depart on Thursday, 12 April (that's during Spring Break. Sadly, if you attend you will miss no school.)
- Return on Sunday, 15 April (We may shorten the trip and return on Saturday...it all depends on the money...keep reading.)
- On Thursday we will arrive in the Washington Metro Area. Not sure where we will stay, but probably a hotel/motel. Figure four cadets to a room. Little boy cadets and little girl cadets will room separately and never the twain shall meet. We may visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Annex at Dulles Airport, it's a neat place, and it's FREE. Dinner at a mall (after all, what's better than a greasy hamburger?).
- On Friday we will tour Quantico. Possibilities include the Officer Candidate School, the Basic School, and, if we're very lucky, we may be able to sit in on field demonstration for surviving veterans of the famous Marine Raider Battalion of WWII fame. We'll probably eat lunch at the base galley and then tour the National Marine Corps Museum--a really worthwhile visit. Dinner at the mall (more sliders, please!).
- On Saturday we will tour Washington, DC. Probable stops include the Mall (not the mall, you weasels, but the Mall), where you may visit your choice of Smithsonian museums, the WWII memorial, etc. You probably will not get to tour the White House or the Capitol since it is a Saturday, but you can see these buildings from the outside. Last time we also visited the Korean War memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Iwo Jima Memorial. We may also try for a stop at the Navy Museum. Meals will be on you. (If we have to return on Saturday you can count on about four hours at the Mall and then a bus ride back to Middletown.)
- Sunday we will clear quarters and hit the road returning to Middletown via Gettysburg, PA where we will tour the site of Pickett's Charge, the high-water mark of the Confederacy. It's worth seeing--it's the kind of thing you'll tell your grandchildren about. (I'd tell mine, but I don't have any. Probably wouldn't like 'em anyway!)
- Here's the bad news: we have to pay the entire cost ourselves. This means that you should plan on bringing about $25 per day, more if you're a big spender, for food and incidentals. We will also collect about $100 to $125 from each participant to cover the cost of the motel and meals at the base galley. Payment will be due before you are given a seat. We'll keep the amount as low as possible and hopefully it will not exceed $100. If you want to participate, but can't afford it, please see me or MSGT and we'll make it happen. You will not be allowed to board the bus with no money in your pocket, so plan accordingly.
- We have room for 46 to 48 cadets. Permission slips will be due by 26 March, after that date you may drop out, but I will not be able to add anyone due to security regulations at the Marine Corps base. If you drop out after this date there will be an empty seat on the bus and you will get only a partial refund. Don't be a weasel.
- Priority will be given to seniors, then freshmen. Considerations will also be given to your participation: Do you wear your uniform regularly? Do you regularly participate in NJROTC activities? Are you a squared-away cadet or just a wannabee? Are you absolutely reliable and self-disciplined or are you likely to be a dramatist? (I would have said drama queen, but guys can be dramatic, too.)
- Plan on wearing your uniform when we're on base. You will be squared-away or I will not take you on board a military base where people I care about will associate your slovenly appearance and unacceptable behavior with me and the NJROTC program. This is a special warning to certain members of the junior class.)
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| This Marine spotted one of our cadets with his cover askew last time we were at Quantico. Stitches were required (and not for the Marine). |
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