2016 Memorial Day Module

Memorial Day is the day that should have the deepest meaning to Americans and most certainly military veterans and their families. It is a day which recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of American servicemen and servicewoman who offered up their lives in the defense of their country or to help free those oppressed around the world. 

There was a tradition started during World War Two. Most young men volunteered for wartime service overseas and their families of would place a Blue Star Pennant in the window of their house. The Blue Star Families or Parents would demonstrate their family's service through the Blue Star Pennants. Should the family member be killed in combat they transition to becoming a Gold Star Family or Parents. The number one concern for a family who lost a service member in combat is that their country (all of you) not forget who their son or daughter was as a person. 

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY Brien McMahon HS NAVY JROTC CONTINUES TO PRESENT THIS MEMORIAL DAY MODULE IS TO ENSURE OUR FALLEN ARE NOT FORGOTTEN BY THEIR FELLOW AMERICANS INCLUDING OUR CLASSMATES. 

  
Class Task One: Watch a recent 60 Minutes show (13 minutes) about Gold Star Parents . (Click on the Link)

Class Task Two: On May 3 & 4th (Tuesday and Wednesday), you will watch the movie Taking Chance which is based on a true story of the sacrifice make by a young Marine (Chance Phillips) and his journey back to his family and comrades until his military burial. 

"And I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I am free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."  

Songwriter Lee Greenwood

Spring Break is Over! Lets become Informed Citizens...

Welcome back from Spring Break. I hope everyone is rested and ready to get back to the work of learning. 

So What Does This Mean...???

Questions for the Class: Let us take a moment to ponder...

• What is a Democracy? 
• What is the relationship between a democracy and its citizens?
• What is the relationship between a democracy and its non-citizens? Is there one?
• What is the difference between a well informed citizen and a non-informed citizen?
• How does a person become and remain a well informed citizen?

Here is a different perspective:

Why would a government or institutions within a government or organizations within a country NOT want well informed citizens?

Class Question: Can you give some present day or past examples (Govts, govt institutions, or organizations) of this? 

PREVENTING BECOMING POORLY INFORMED.

What are the ways you ensure you are a well informed citizen? Lets list them as a class:

THE CHALLENGE IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The METHOD 

IF THIS IS TRUE, HOW POWERFUL ARE YOU MAKING YOURSELF TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD????

This Week is a Short But Busy Week: 23 to 26 March (Mon to Thursday)

What does this mean? It means what we learn is what we become. 

Quote:

 "You let people know who you are by how you do your job?"

Alphonse Lambert

If your job is to be a student-cadet and to learn; how are you doing that job?  Based on the quote what does your level of learning say about you...?

Before we get into today's public speaking, lets look at our schedule for the week:

Schedule: 

March 23 (Mon):  Public speaking (Mr. Osinloye as Sub)
March 24 (Tues):  NJROTC, The Way Ahead (Schedule &                                             Future)Brief by LtCol Killackey
March 25 (Wed):  Uniform Day / Inspection
March 26 (Thur):  Survival Test / 90 minute Early release
March 27 (Fri):     No School for Students / Teachers Only

Class Activity: PUBLIC SPEAKING

Take 6 minutes and prepare an impromptu speech focused on the below topic. You are allowed to take up some bullet talking points but do not read them, instead give a speech. : 

Topic: What Quality Makes You Amazing?

You will describe that one quality that makes you AMAZING and give two examples of how you demonstrate that quality. As usual, have an introduction, description of the quality and provide two examples of how it makes you amazing, and then a conclusion. You have from a minute to a minute and a half to provide your impromptu speech. 



Note: Whichever cadets do not finish, you will finish after the personnel inspection on Wednesday.   

Appreciating The People in Your Life at BMHS

The theme for today's class is : APPRECIATION

With the recent passing of our well loved and respected BMHS security guard, Maurice Tomlin, it has inspired in many of us an appreciation of those around us everyday that we may otherwise overlook. 

Yesterday evening our cadets supported the amazing Memorial Tribute to Maurice Tomlin by BMHS and the Norwalk Community. The positive and healing impact it had on the Tomlin family, his friends, and his fellow Senators from BMHS was apparent. 

Let's watch two short videos to give us an appreciation for the positive things in our lives. After viewing them, you will be given an in class assignment to write a letter. 

Class Activity:

• Think about an adult at BMHS that you appreciate. Select one that you greatly appreciate. (Not presuming anything, but it can't be the NSI or SNSI. )
• You are going to write a one page letter to that person and turn it into me at the end of the class period. 
• In your letter include:
• Who that person is by name
• Why you appreciate them
• The impact they have on you and others
• This will be an anonymous letter, so do not sign it. 
• Turn the letter into me by the end of the class period as I will turn it into that adult. 

Surviving A Car Accident...What Happens When Physics Meets Biology

What to Do If you show Up And Want To Help At a Car Accident


Above are three Media links which talk about surviving a car accident. This is a very likely occurrence for anyone and like any emergency it is invaluable to think about it first.

How Do Accidents Occur?
What Are the Contributing Factors?
What types of Accidents Occur?
Options or Evasive Actions
When Physics meets Biology
What do You do If You show Up at an Accident and Want to Help

The intent of this class is to make you think....

Credibility...building up :credit" in your life

Your have a variety of relationships with others throughout your day and life, and you interact with a wide variety of people in those relationships. 

Definition of Credibility: the quality of being believable or worthy of trust. What reputation have you established based on proven performance and behavior. Are you responsible and do you hold yourself accountable. 

• Family: Son or Daughter, Sister of Brother
• Friends: Acquaintances, Good Friends, Best Friends
• Student: 8 academic periods (including lunch) where you interact with teachers administrators and your peers. 
• Significant Others: Boyfriend or Girlfriend
• Sports / Athletics: Player, Teammate
• Work: Worker

What is your credibility with the people in your life of those listed above? Do they trust and rely upon you because of your reputation and proven performance? 

WEDNESDAY IS UNIFORM DAY and INSPECTION

WEDNESDAY IS UNIFORM DAY. YOU WILL BE INSPECTED AND RECEIVE A GRADE. UNIFORM DAY INSPECTION IS A TEST. 

FIRST YEAR CADETS: General Orders 1 through 5.

UPPERCLASSMEN CADETS: General Orders 1 through 11 and Chain of Command. Go to the Mid Term Review Blog post for references (links) for studying your General Orders and the Chain of Command. 

Inspecting Officers:
Period 1: Sanchez
Period 2: TBD
Period 4: Walsh
Period 5: Vacas
Period 6: Veliz
Period 7: TBD
Period 8: Walsh

Surviving a Natural Disaster...How About an Earthquake

We discussed the concept of survival. We analyzed a complex camping trip that turned into the loss of two lives. Much of this may seem hypothetical, meaning how does this pertain to me as a student-cadet in Norwalk, CT. We have snow storms, hurricanes, and storm surge flooding; but a tornado or a earthquake in or near Connecticut...come on. Lets take a look at how you would need to survive an earthquake. 

Survival is not just about getting lost in the woods and getting rescued. Sometimes it is about surviving from a natural disaster.  During a natural disaster the first responders and city services will be overwhelmed and may not be able to help you for 2 or 3 days. You need to learn to prepare and in extreme cases solve your own problems as a person, household, neighborhood, and community. 

Lets see how one city dealt with a severe earthquake....                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

SURVIVAL ... the start of the Third Marking Period

We are starting the third Marking Period of Academic Year 2015. We are going to talk about Survival. The topic of survival is in Unit VI of the book, Introduction to Navy JROTC which is part of the NJROTC curriculum. You should consider Survival as a part of your life skills. 

Enduring Learning Objective for this Survival Module: Each student-cadet develops an understanding of the concept of survival in a variety of situations and conditions so that they can survive themselves or assist others. Additionally, the goal is to develop the concept for prior planning and preparation and survival skill development ensuring their safety, security, and mental well being. 

Classroom Activity: Form into three groups and take about ten minutes to develop a group definition of the concept of survival without looking anything up.   Have one person write down the group definition. Following the group discussion, you will share the group definition with the entire class. The intent of this activity is to generate each person determining their start point on an understanding of what survival means

Here is a 8 minute video about the concepts of survival from an experienced outdoor guide. Like many people with some survival experience he has many opinions, some of them you might agree with and some perhaps not. The goal is you need to be the "eternal student" (vice self proclaimed expert) when it comes to developing your survival capability.   

This short video (3 minute) on the basic components of How to Survive. 

Final Comment: There is a tendency to think of survival in terms of big disasters such as surviving a plane crash or a tornado. But consider the following: 

• What about your family's care breaking down at night in an unknown location? 
• How about visiting your family in another country and you get lost in an urban environment? 
• A simple hike in a national park where you get lost and the weather turns bad? 
• What if there was a terrorist attack and you were separated from your loved ones? Dad is at work, mom is at home with your little sister, and you are away at college. How will you link up? What if there is spotty cell phone coverage and power is down? 
• What if you were on vacation on an enormous lake and the motor broke down and you were miles away from anyone? Everyone is just wearing their bathing suits and there is poor cell phone coverage. Would would you do? 

MID TERM REVIEW

MID TERM STUDY TOPICS:

VETERAN'S DAY

• What is the purpose of Veteran's Day?
• When is Veteran's Day?
• What is the history of Veteran's Day?
• Clink This Link!

PERSONNEL INSPECTION  (Appearance, Bearing, Knowledge)

• Appearance in Uniform: Know uniform measurements !!!!
• Bearing
• Knowledge

DRILL  (Be familiar with the sequence)

• Fall In 
• Dress Right Dress
• Ready Front Cover
• Right Face
• Forward March
• Column Left/Right
• Mark Time March
• To The Rear March
• Squad / Plt Halt
• Squad or Platoon Halt
• Dismissed

STRESS MANAGEMENT: Be prepared to provide a response to the following questions

• What is Stress?
• Is there such a thing as good stress or bad stress?
• What are some positive ways for managing stress?
• What are some negative ways of managing stress?

EBOLA OUTBREAK: Be prepared to discuss the governments role in the containment and prevention of an epidemic like this.

• Containment and Prevention

GENERAL ORDERS TO THE SENTRY

• First through eleventh general orders to the sentry

General Orders to the Sentry

SUBJECTIVITY VERSUS OBJECTIVITY

Study Link to Previous Blog post: Click on this Link!!

• Discussion about the situation in Ferguson, Missouri

NAVAL OPERATIONS: When given a graphic describe employment options using a variety of platforms to accomplish a variety of missions.

• Naval Platforms and COP
• USS Cole and Damage Control 
• Falklands Campaign
• Operations Just Cause / Panama Canal

CHAIN OF COMMAND

Study Link to Google Doc: Click this Link !

• You need to know POTUS Through Cadet

WEAR YOUR UNIFORM TO THE EXAM!!!!!!. 

Be Prepared to write a reflection / self assessment on a topic given to you by the teacher.

Good Luck

Chain of Command Group 2015 Group Activity

CARD ACTIVITY

READ THIS FIRST, Then watch the video!!

Chain of Command...? What does that mean and what is its purpose? Is it just a military concept? If so why study this concept if you are not in the military? If it has applications in non-military organizations then perhaps understanding the concept of a "chain of command" has other applications. Let's watch this video and see how you could apply this concept to other activities.... 

What examples would you give on how the concept of a "chain of command" applies to other organizations and activities? In your opinion, what are some of the universal purposes of a chain of command based on the activities and discussion you have had up until this point. 

Let's take a look at the NJROTC chain of command briefed by your fellow students.... Remember, chain of command will be a part of your mid term exam. 

Back To School After The Holiday Break

WELCOME BACK AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK

Watch the video? What do you think the central message in this video is? 

We had a long break from school from 23 Dec 2014 to Jan 5 2015. Welcome back to school. It is time to get back to work! We have mid terms right around the corner, and then the end of the second marking period. For seniors this may be the last marking period colleges will review before making their decision to accept you to their institution or not. 

Good luck, come to work, and finish the marking period strong. 

Select a Naval Science and a Non-Naval Science Topic You are Interested In

Monday's Class Activity: 
1. Organize Yourself into Three Groups. Group Leaders designated by SNSI.  (See Below)
2. Review the Naval Science Curriculum from the Naval Science Books.
3. Select one Naval Science Topic your group agrees upon and write down why you are interested in that topic.
4. Select one Non-Naval Science Topic (SNSI screened) your group agrees upon and write down why you are interested in that topic. 
5. Group Leaders provide both topics to the SNSI by the end of class on a written paper with your groups names, class period, two topics and why you picked those topics.

Group Leaders:
Period 2: Suarez, Bonilla, Dallas
Period 4: Armas, Walsh, Iraheta
Period 6: Valez, Vacas, Young
Period 7: Stevenson, Rainone, Chacua

Subjectivity versus Objectivity: Ferguson Grand Jury Announcement

Here is the Grand Jury Announcement from Ferguson, Missouri.

Ferguson Missouri Shooting Overview

We are using the ongoing situation in Ferguson Missouri as a vignette in which to analyze the difference between subjectivity (opinions, emotions) and objectivity (facts) it is important to break down the major aspects of this situation: 

Alleged Crime --->  Police Response ---> Police Encounter --->

Shooting Incident ---> Public Response to Shooting / Protest --->

Police Response to Public Response / Riot --->

Post Incident Investigation (Local / State / Federal) --->

Public Response to Grand Jury --->

Discussion Considerations: 

• Role of Leaders 
• Family
• Community
• Local / State / Federal

• Role of Media 
• Reporting News or Making News
• Subjective Reporting versus Objective Reporting
• Impact of Social Media
• What Would You Do Differently?
• 
  

Developing an Aptitude for Objectivity...Going from what you feel towards what you know

WORD BANK / CONCEPT BANK:  

OBJECTIVE              OPINION VERSUS FACT       ANALYSIS
RACE                         ROLE OF POLICE                   PROTEST     MEDIA / PRESS        PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY
RACISM                     ABUSE OF POWER                RIOTING     FAIR and BALANCED REPORTING                      LEADERSHIP
SUBJECTIVE

Definitions:

• Subjective: placing excessive emphasis on one's mood, attitudes, and opinions.  

• Objective: not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice, based on facts, unbiased.

Task: Discuss the meaning of the words and concepts above. 


Food for Thought: This is foundational to start our journey on developing an aptitude for looking at each situation objectively and developing the ability to simultaneously maintain a balance between intellect and emotions.  

CASE STUDY: 

MICHAEL BROWN

FERGUSON, MISSOURI

DARREL WILSON

Task:  Take out your notebook and think about these three words and write what you know about them.  

What Is Your Least Valued Character Trait...?

Each one of you shared your most prominent or valued positive character trait about yourself in the form of a short impromptu speech. Self analysis is a critical skill to develop as an adult in society. You are expected  to regulate your own personal and professional behavior and conduct to be successful in life. There are no guidance counselors or housemasters in the adult world, only bosses, co-workers, authority figures, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and family.

You may not have the benefit of having a "Julius" in your life to tell you like it is or what you need to hear. You may need to be your own Julius....

Class Assignment: 

1. I will form you into groups and you will discuss what negative character trait bothers you the most (about yourself or others) and discuss why. 

2. Have one person in the group take notes for the group, and when we gather together as a large group you will share your groups feedback. 

What is Your Most Valued Character Trait...?

Character traits are all the aspects of a person’s behavior and attitudes that make up that person’s personality. Everyone has character traits, both good and bad.

Classroom Assignment: Your public speaking assignment is to select the character trait that you value the most and be prepared to tell the class what character trait you selected in a 1 minute 30 second impromptu speech. Within that speech, give an example of how you have demonstrated that character trait as well. 

EBOLA THE HOT ZONE...KEEPING IT REAL...

Today is about perspective. It is easy to talk about the Ebola virus as an academic topic, but watching these short videos help you get more familiar with the challenge of it. In your groups you hypothetically discussed preventing the spread of EBOLA by containing the virus by isolating those who may have the virus and quarantining them away from people who have not been exposed from the virus. Think of how this would be done in our city if the virus spread here. 

First Video: WATCH: EBOLA THE HOT ZONE   (15 minutes)

Then Watch, Second Video: WATCH: 21 Days in Quarantine for Lora Logan  (7 minutes)

Post Video Task from the Class Leader: Lead a short discussion on how watching this may have changed your recommended policies your groups developed now that these videos put a face on the virus.

Discussion Class Leaders:
Period 2: Cadet Sienna
Period 4: Cadet Brendan
Period 6: Cadet Nicole
Period 7: Cadet Mercy

Thursday in class (shortened day) we will finish any of the Ebola presentations of Question & Answer periods during the shortened day. 

PS: REMINDER: All of the sophomore and junior male cadets (list below) selected for the Center For Youth Leadership Workshop in Greenwich on Thursday remember it is early release day, so you will need to come back to BMHS and be in front of the school by 3:30 pm for a 3:45 depart for the workshop (5 pm to 7 pm with pizza). We will talk tomorrow in class. This is merely a heads up. List of committed cadets:Shane K, Tom M, Mechal V, Elias B-C, Robert C, James G, Rene B, Jamerikah G-Y, Kevin M, Helmuth I, Josue A, Louis C, Kevin Marin, Ahmad Y.

WHAT VETERANS DAY MEANS TO YOU AND OUR COUNTRY

Dan Caporale, USMC Vietnam Vet

ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF former Staff Sergeant Dan Caporale, a USMC Veteran who served three tours in Vietnam. He is a recipient of the Silver Star for heroism in combat was wounded and received the Purple Heart as well. He served with the MACV SOG (Special Operations Group). The veterans you see in the next few days served when they were a little older than you and were participating in the defense of our nation. 

TODAY WE WILL WRITE A LETTER IN CLASS THANKING OUR VETERANS AND TELLING THEM WHAT VETERANS DAY MEANS TO YOU AND TO OUR COUNTRY.

Instructions for In class assignment: 

1. Single piece of paper write a letter addressed To A Veteran
2. First paragraph thanking them for their service to their country.
3. Second paragraph telling them what veterans day means to you. 
4. Print your name as your signature. 
5. Turn in your letter to SNSI. 

Remember tomorrow is Veterans Day and uniform Day in order to attend you need to bring your permission slip in and be in uniform and conduct yourself accordingly.