2014 Change of Command and Staff

On Wednesday (Uniform Day), we will be conducting a BMHS Navy JROTC Change of Command after school at 1430. 

CO:  Walsh
XO: Vacas
Co Chief: Sanchez

1st PLT Cdr: Veliz
Plt Sgt: Mirabella
2d PLT Cdr: Armas
Plt Sgt: To Be Determined
3rd PLT Cdr: Krogh
Plt Sgt: Stevenson

N1 Admin: Bonilla
N3 Ops: Bou-Chahine
N4 Supply: Suarez
N6 Public Affairs: Iannucci

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. 

More Drill...Right Shoulder and Left Shoulder Arms

Based on your recommendation to increase armed drill (with drill rifles) in class and our unit's desire to participate in armed drill for the upcoming Bethel Drill Competition in November, we will conduct armed drill in class today. 

Lets take a look at a video about the manual of arms: 

We will go through the manual of arms "by-the-numbers" (with the unit commander utilizing a verbal number) count for each step of a particular manual of arms. 

The foundational basis for all drill is the proper position of attention. Pay attention, ask questions, and put forth your best effort. We may have some cadets work one-on-one so remain flexible and keep a positive attitude. Everyone learns differently, so be patient with yourself and with each other. 

The benefits of drill are developing attention to detail, technical proficiency in drill, followership and leadership, and teamwork. 

Weekly Activities October 28 to November 1.

Monday and Tuesday: (Focus) Public Speaking. The assignment is to draft a 2 to 3 minute impromptu on the topic of their cadet innovation project (Big Idea Project). They are to rehearse the content of the speech to include the timing. They will give the speeches in class on Monday and finishing them on Tuesday.

Wednesday: (Focus) Uniform Inspection.  Senior Naval Science Instructor conducts a weekly personnel inspection assessing: appearance in uniform, cadet knowledge, and bearing. This event is a test where they receive a grade.

Thursday: (Focus)  Thinking About Associations: What People and Organizations and Areas of Interest are Related to their Big Idea Project. Prior to the development of a future research plan for their cadet innovation project, the students will be brainstorming what individuals, what organizations, and what other related areas of interest are related to their Big Idea Project. They will graphically depict this brainstorming session with a mindmap graphic. The intent is start to make associations with the people and organizations they can research to determine the potential to network with them in the future. Additionally, I want them to determine what associated areas or interest can be linked to their innovation concept for their project topic.


Friday: (Focus) Assessment of In Class Association Assignment and Initial Research Link. 
Instructor reviews student association brainstorming graphic and discusses student progress on their project at this point. They are also required to provide an on-line link that they have discovered in their initial research.

Feb 21 (Thursday) Leading Your Peers: Drill Practice with Practice Drill Rifle

Based on student feedback many of you asked to practice more drill with drill rifles in class, besides our after-school drill activities. Today that is exactly what we will do in class combined with the opportunity to have cadets lead their peers as a unit commander during this evolution.

Activity:

1. The Class Leaders will have everyone get a drill rifle from the Chief's Room.
2. Form the class into a platoon formation, standard Fall In & forming up procedures.
3. Class Leaders will start with static manual of arms and then transition into platoon drill with rifles in class within the confines of the space available. (We are indoors due to inclement weather).
4. Then then the Class Leader will select different students to take turns being the Platoon Commander. This gives everyone an opportunity to go from the follower position to being placed in the Leader position. the Class Leader will mentor these cadets as they perform to the degree they need it. The transitioning Leaders will experience "being in the spotlight" now responsible among their peers for verbally giving proper commands, being technically proficient in drill (knowledge & skill they should possess), and setting the example (bearing, attitude, etc.) for their peers.  
5. This has the added benefit of generating or re-generating increased emphasis on cadet drill. 

Anytime a student-cadet has an opportunity to stand in front of their peers and lead them (drill) or present a concept (class discussion or public speaking day) it is a great learning experience and ultimately a confidence boosting and team building event.

Wilmer's Lesson: Remembering Pearl Harbor

Click on this LINK: Remembering Pearl Harbor

Sometimes the student is the teacher, this came apparent when Wilmer asked me "Are we going to do something to remeber Pearl Harbor...?"