NEW CHALLENGE

It's been a quiet few day, so I undertook to count the words in the English language.  The exact number doesn't matter, but, much to my surprise, I found that there is actually one too many.  Your task:  pick the one word that should be eliminated from the English language. A couple of comments:

• Choose the word, not the reality behind the word.  For example, choosing "war" because you don't like war (bombs dropping, people dying, etc.) is not the object.
• Explain clearly why you picked the word you did. 
• Proper nouns don't count.  No one like Fedorka.

This challenge will close out on Tuesday, 1 May at 0730.  I will pick the winner.  Good luck.  On Tuesday I will also release the end of the year challenge open to qualified cadets.  Good luck!

Only two inputs have been received.  The challenge is extended until at least five inputs have been received.  If at least five inputs are not received by 0730, Friday, 4 May, the challenge may be cancelled.

YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET!

END OF YEAR CHALLENGE

As previously mentioned, we will have an end of year challenge open to those who have qualified. The challenge, open to cadets who have qualified by winning a sufficient number of previous challenges, will be posted on 1 May and will close out on 30 May.   The challenge will include approximately a dozen challenges of all types (logic, math, trivia, etc.).  There will be a cash prize of $50.   The challenge will be winner-take-all; in other words, there will be no second place.  The winner will be selected on the basis of both accuracy  and promptness--in other words, a mostly correct entry submitted on 3 May might well beat a more correct entry submitted on 10 May or even a perfect entry submitted on 29 May.  

Currently qualified are Cadets Ferguson, Esquivel, Barone, Fitzgerald, Slingerland, and Lloyd. If you have successfully answered a couple of my previous challenges and feel that you should be on this list, let me know.

Stand by for heavy rolls!

FAMOUS QUOTATIONS

"Veni, vidi, vici."  - Julius Ceasar (Thanks to Cadet Lloyd for correcting my spelling.)

"We have not yet begun to fight!"  -John Paul Jones

"I never eat chips in the bathroom."  - Cadet Eric Barone

NEW CHALLENGE

Here's an easy one:  What is Sheldon's middle name?

Congratulations to Cadets Slingerland, Migliori, and Glickman, each of whom knew the correct answer is "Lee."

ORIENTATION TRIP PHOTOS

Thirty-three Middletown cadets participated in our four day orientation trip to Washington, D.C., Quantico, Virginia, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Here are a few memories:



Cadet Ferguson slakes his thirst.  (But who really cares?)



Tiffany contemplates the prom.  (How sad!)

If you are gettting on a plane and the pilot looks like this, take the bus!



World War Two era flamethrower.




Middetown cadets and NY Young Marines are briefed at Marine Officer Candidate School.



Mr. Freely describes the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Mr. Freely describes the defense of Little Round Top by the 20th Maine.  (If you heard it, you will remember his Rebel Yell.)

Remembering the "Orange Blossoms,"  the regiment recruited from Orange County, NY.





Pickett's Charge:  The High Water Mark.





Barone:  The Smithsonian called, they're looking for their dollar.


  More to follow!

BILLET APPLICATIONS DUE TOMORROW, TUESDAY 17 APRIL

Just a reminder:  your billet applications are due by 1500 tomorrow, 17 April.  Late applications will not be accepted.  (Without an application you may still be considered for a billet, but the fact that you did not submit a billet request will be considered as a reflection on your ability to comply with directions.)

ANNUAL INSPECTION--BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

One Tuesday, 3 April we completed our required annual inspection.  Lieutenant Colonel Eric Larson, USMC served as senior inspector and was assisted by Gunnery Sergeant Abrega, and a team of three midshipmen from RPI.  The inspection was a great improvement over last year's.  This year we had 142 of 147 present with only 2 cadets not in uniform (shame on them!).  Fifteen cadets received a grade of "outstanding," 40 received a grade of "excellent, there were 60 "satisfactory," and 24 "UNSATs."  Not bad--especially considering the inspectors were really tough. 

Photos will be available soon.