BILLETS

The most recent billet list is posted on the bulletin board in the back of the class.  There are a number of open billets available to qualified NS2s and NS3s.  If you are interested, see the next senior in the chain of command; for example, if you want to be a squad leader in the 3rd platoon, talk to the assistant platoon commander.  Note that we will generally not move a cadet from one platoon to another.  Also note that you must be approved--slackers need not apply. 



If this looks like you on a uniform day, don't bother to apply!





SO SAD...

As part of my continuing effort to discover and highlight cadet goof-ups, errors, failures, and embarrassments, I present the following photographic evidence documenting why cadets shouldn't be be trusted to handle technically complex tasks such as sweeping the deck.  Behold:

This used to be a broom.  Note how carefully it has been repaired with masking tape and parts of coat hangers as side splints. 
How professional!



HOW MANY SQUARES CAN YOU FIND?

Congratulations to Cadet Karen Santamaria for correctly answering that there are 40 squares in the diagram below.  Karen is the first freshman to correctly answer a challenge this year.  BZ!

Here's a new challenge...how many squares can you find below:

This challenge will close out at 0730, Wednesday, 24 October.  The winner will receive one soda.  Good luck.  Notice that the squares are empty--much like my file of pictures taken at the dining-in.  Thanks, PAO!

HOW MANY FACES DO YOU SEE?

Congratulations to Cadet Jorge Esquivel who correctly (I think) answered that ten faces can be seen.  Can anyone see more?

Here's a new challenge.  How many faces do you see in the image below:

This challenge will close out at 0730, Wednesday, 24 December.  The winner will receive a candy bar or soda.  Good luck. 

THE PUPPY IS NOW HAPPY

Congratulations to Cadet Robert Ferguson for correctly answering the challenge.  The Commander challenged Fedorka with the number ten.  The correct response should have been "three" because the correct answer is the number of characters in the first number. 

Is it just me, or does this particular "happy puppy" look a lot like A. J. Geagley?



BAZINGA!

A former cadet, now a proud member of the USAF, had his mom return his text books.  Notice the spelling of "Academic Officer."  Sheldon says it all.

THE PUPPY IS SWEATING IT!

Can't believe no one's got the challenge yet...the puppy is starting to sweat!



UNIFORM INSPECTIONS

A few comments from today's uniform inspection:

• I was particularly unhappy with the junior class.  There is absolutely no excuse for a junior to need a shave or haircut. 
• Only about 55% showed up for the muster in the theater.  Roll is being taken.  This is not an optional formation.
• Covers are required.
• Know your general knowledge.
• Stand a proper inspection.  Military bearing counts.
• Do not mix uniform and civilian attire.
• Wear the correct t-shirt.
• Shine your shoes.
• Rig your uniform the night before.
• When you are in uniform, you must be correct 100% of the time.  Don't walk around with your shirt tails out, your shirt unbuttoned, etc.
• If you need a haircut or shave, do not wear your uniform.  If you are in uniform and need a haircut or shave, you will get a ZERO and will be required to take the uniform off.  If you fail to comply by the next uniform day, we will take action to separate you from our program for failure to abide by the expectation you agreed to when you joined the program.
• Unacceptable excuses:
• "I slept late."
• "I couldn't find my shoes."
• "I didn't have time to shave."
• "I'm getting a haircut tomorrow."
• Your grade will be based on the classroom inspection and will amount to about 50% of your overall grade.  Regardless of how well you might be doing academically, you will fail if you can't or won't wear the uniform correctly.

Don't look like this guy:






PICTURES

Here are some pictures the cadet PAO took at our dining-in, in-house drill meet, orienteering training, coind drop, and Wisner Avenuee FOD walk-down.

Need I say mmore?



CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST E-2

Congratulations to Cadet Jacob Moody for successfully advancing to the rank of cadet seaman apprentice.  Jacob is the first member of the NS 1 class to be promoted this year--more should follow shortly.  "Bravo Zulu"!

THE COMMANDER'S PARTY

Here's a new cadet challenge:

The Middletown NJROTC was hosting a dining-in.  Since uninvited guests were a problem last time, the commander gave all the cadets a special password system so they could get in.  Unauthorized personnel, those not invited or not members of the mess, would not know the system and would be denied entry.  Fedorka's boyfriend wanted to come and thought he'd sneak in.  He stood by the door and heard Commander issue the first challenge.  As the guest approached, the Commander said "twelve," and the guest replied "six."  He was admitted.  The next guest approached and was challenged with "six."  He replied "three" and was admitted.  Fedorka was sure he had it figured out, so he walked right up and was challenged with "ten."  He confidently replied "five."  He was then frog-marched out and thrown in the dumpster.

Why did Fedorka fail and what was the correct answer?

This challenge will close out at 0730 on Thursday, 18 October.  Answer correctly or the puppy gets it!

HAPPY PUPPY

The puppy is now happy:



Congratulations to Cadet Samantha "Little Fish" Migliori who, together with Cadet "Gut Wagon" Geagley correctly answered that the escapee would proceed toward Switzerland for almost 3 minutes, then turn around and walk back toward Germany so that the guard would assume she was trying to enter and merely motion her to go back to Switzerland.  Here's the logic diagram they used to help solve the problem.

Drawing a logic diagram can often help solve a spatial problem or a problem in which you are asked to understand how things occur in time or space.  The diagram above didn't solve the problem--it doesn't include any time information--but it did get them close enough that they could solve it witha lucky guess.

WHAT THE HECK

Why is this puppy sad?



Because I have received no inputs for what strikes me as a really simple challenge. 

Help make the puppy happy--take the challenge.  Here it is again:

During World War Two, the border crossings between Germany and Switzerland were carefully guarded. One such crossing was a bridge across a stream; it was a long bridge and took about 5 minutes to cross. The guard on the German side of the border stood at the end of the bridge and had orders to shoot anyone trying to leave Germany without a pass. If he saw anyone approaching from the Swiss side without a pass he would warn them and direct them back to the Swiss side. He (the German guard) made his rounds in a predictable way such that he checked the bridge every three minutes. He was meticulous and a deadly shot and yet an escaping prisoner of war successfully crossed the bridge fleeing Germany to the Swiss side. How did she avoid getting shot by the German sentry?

Because of the sad response so far, the this challenge has been extended and will now close out at 0730 Friday, 19 October.

A typcial MHS NJROTC cadet studies for exams.  Are you a PhD candidate?



VETERANS' DAY, SIGN-UPS, AND A CHALLENGE

Parade.  On Sunday, 11 November, we will take two buses (up to 80 cadets) to New York City to participate in the annual Veterans' Day parade.  We will be leaving promptly at 0700 and will be returning at about 1900 (7 pm.).  On the way back, we will probably stop at Palisades Mall for a dinner break.  If the day is cold, you will get cold.  If it is wet...well, you can figure it out.  If you are wet and cold, don't whine--we'll all be wet and cold.  To participate you must be in good standing both academically and militarily. 

Our Color Guard and unit banner at last year's parade.

Sign-ups.  If you sign up to participate in an event, we plan on you being there.  If you can't make it, it is your responsibility to call the cadet in charge or the operations officer and let them know.  If you are a no-show, you will not be allowed to participate in other events until I forgive you (and I am not a naturally forgiving person!).

A new cadet challenge:

During World War Two, the border crossings between Germany and Switzerland were carefully guarded.  One such crossing was a bridge across a stream; it was a long bridge and took about 5 minutes to cross.  The guard on the German side of the border stood at the end of the bridge and had orders to shoot anyone trying to leave Germany without a pass.  If he saw anyone approaching from the Swiss side without a pass he would warn them and direct them back to the Swiss side.  He (the German guard) made his rounds in a predictable way such that he checked the bridge every three minutes.  He was meticulous and a deadly shot and yet an escaping prisoner of war successfully crossed the bridge fleeing Germany to the Swiss side.  How did she avoid getting shot by the German sentry?

This challenge will close at 0730 Friday, 12 October.  If you answer the challenge successfully at the dining-in, you will receive public acclaim and a prize.  If you fail, you will receive an appropriate fine. 

SEVENTY-THREE WORD LITERARY CONTEST

Here is the winner:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hungs by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in ther heads.
And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
"And then Fedorka went to sleep on Barone's lap."

Congratulations to Cadet A.J. Geagley, a man never lacking in the true Spirit of Christmas!

HOW SAD IS THIS?

Subtlety, thy name is Boats.

Evidence of the crime.

...and they're still waiting for their dollar.

SPIRIT WEEK SUPER HERO DAY

Here's a picture of my favorite super hero standing next to a short girl with funny hair.

I always smile, 'cause I'm just so darn happy!



ICHTHYOLOGY



Sometimes it's tough to tell if the little ones are really sick or just sleepy.



SEVENTY-THREE WORD CHALLENGE

As you know, seventy-three is the best number.  It is also equal to the approximate IQ of the average Army JROTC cadet.  Here's a literary challenge to be undertaken with that in mind:

Write a short essay of exactly 73 words including the phrase "and then Fedorka went to sleep." 

Your essay may be on any topic, but must be exactly 73 words and must include the phrase specified above.  This challenge is open to all cadets.  Enteries must be delivered to your NSI by 0730 9 October 2012.  The winner will be selected on the basis of originality and interest.  Keep it clean.