2013: Learn To Lead, Choose To Succeed (NSTC Commander's Video)

As 2013 starts a new year for Brien McMahon High School Navy JROTC program, our new Commander of the Naval Service Training Command reminds the student-cadet that YOU are the "Custodians of America's Future" just like you recite daily in the Cadet Creed. As you watch this video, I want you to think about what our Commander says to you and I want you to reflect what kind of cadet you are now, and what kind of cadet could you become...?  WATCH, THINK, REFLECT, and RAISE THE BAR on your behavior and performance.

RDML (Sel) Dee L. Mewbourne, Commander Naval Service Training Command challenges you to "Learn To Lead and Choose To Succeed"...will you accept the challenge...?

Are YOU going to "raise the bar" in your life (school, family, friends, work) or are you just going to "keep doing what you are doing" and hope for a different result...? 

Think about your individual performance in the recent Area Manager's Inspection held on Dec 19, how much effort and compliance to the standards did YOU put forth...?

Are you going to make this unit better or just remain the same...?

LIFE IS ABOUT CHOICES

Monday Cadet Knowledge Exam Dec 17

This is a Final Check to make sure you have your Cadet Knowledge repaired for the inspection on Dec 19th. There are 30 write in questions, once directed, take out a piece of paper, take the test and turn it in.  First Year Cadets only have to answer General Orders 1 thru 5. 

DEC 2012 CADET CHAIN OF COMMAND TEST

1. President of the United States (POTUS)                
2. Eleventh General Order
3. Vice President of the US (VPOTUS)                     
4. First General Order
5. Secretary of State (SECSTATE)                            
6. Tenth General Order
7. Secretary of Defense  (SECDEF)                          
8. Second General Order
9. Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV)                         
10. Ninth General Order
11. Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)     
12. Third General Order
13. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)                          
14. Fourth General Order
15. Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC)              
16. Eighth General Order
17. Chief of Naval Education & Training                      
18. Fifth General Order
19. Commander of Naval Service Training Command     
20. Seventh General Order
21. Area Four Manager  (A4M)                                   
22. Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI)                  
23. Naval Science Instructor (NSI)                              
24. Cadet Company Commander                                 
25. Sixth General Order
26. Cadet Executive Officer                                          
27. Cadet Company Chief                                           
28. Cadet First Platoon Commander                           
29. Cadet Second Platoon Commander                       
30. Cadet Third Platoon Commander     

GOOD LUCK.

Inspection Trends for the Pre-Area Manager's Inspection Dec 13

How this unit looks in uniform, demonstrates it's knowledge and character in and out of school or uniform, and performs in public (flag ceremonies, AMI, etc.) demonstrates who "WE" (Cadets, JROTC Instructors) are. We are a team and

These are my observations from the Dec 12 Uniform Inspection which is the last inspection before the Area Manager's Inspection on Dec 19th when Commander Hankins inspects our unit and program on behalf of the United States Navy.

Period 2: Overall Comment: Our goal has been "raising the bar" but today period 2 lowered the bar. I was not impressed with the lack of preparation for this inspection. As a class you lost considerable ground in your performance from previous weeks. The knowledge has been taught in class, is in your Cadet Reference Manual, and on the Senator's Cadet blog. As a class you didn't make the effort which hurts our unit's credibility and discipline. 

Observed Trends:

• Knowledge of General Order 1 through 11 and Chain of Command was exceptionally weak. Some people didn't know who their NSI, SNSI, or Area Manager are??? (UNSAT)
• The majority of cadet's shoes were not shined (UNSAT)
• Ribbon Measurements are still off, especially from the top of the pocket and the first row of ribbons. The average was 1/3 to 1/2 of an inch vice 1/4 which is the standard. 
• Most of the stars were skewed (tilted) or upside down. The tip of the star should face straight up. 
• One cadet lost his shoes, second time he didn't have them and one cadet had white socks on????
• Pre-Inspection 10 min prep not properly utilized: numerous irish pennants, lint on trousers, crust stain that could have been scrapped off. 
• We can't wear unit medals (Top Gun Medal) for an AMI inspection.
• Positive Comment: those who were missing ribbons and stars squared that away. The three most senior cadets looked outstanding and had great bearing - they set the example. 

Steps Taken

• Inspection is a test and those not performing received a grade accordingly.
• This period will have a detailed Knowledge Test on Monday. 
• Cadet Chain of Command needs to address these shortcomings.  

Need Parent Support at Dec 19th Daytime Ceremony at BMHS Gym

Invitation for Parents for Dec 19th Daytime Ceremony

Click on the Link above for the Invitation Letter to your Parents and Guardians asking them to support our program by attending the Dec 19th Daytime Ceremony at the BMHS Gym from 10 am to 11 am. Please have your parents by arrive by 0945 so we can sit your parents by 0955 because the ceremony starts AT 1000 promptly.

Remember part of raising the bar this year is through parental engagement and support. This is a homework assignment: Take home Monday, get signed and return on Tuesday in class.

Area Manager's Inspection (AMI) Overview

The once every two years Area Manager's Inspection (or AMI) is a test of an NJROTC unit's readiness to perform and compliance with the CNET NJROTC instructions. It is an opportunity for the US Navy that funds the program to evaluate the school district, school, JROTC instructors, cadets, and community support of this program they fund.

Lets take a look a video of a photo presentation video of the unit marching on and conducting a pass in review from the daytime ceremony.

The Area Four Manager COMMANDER HANKINS will inspect our readiness and compliance on Wednesday Dec 19, 2012 at BMHS.

The JROTC Instructor will conduct an overview of the AMI today and on Monday, and on Tuesday there will be an ALL HANDS rehearsal periods 6,7,8 in the GYM. The AMI will be conducted on Wednesday from periods 1 through period 5. The inspection starts off with a company inspection, followed by a short break, followed by a daytime ceremony where the entire unit participates. We will review the details in this class and on Monday. Remember to remind your parents to come to the AMI ceremony on Wednesday and to be at BMHS at 0945 to be seated in the Gym by 0955 so the ceremony can start at 1000 and finish by 1100. The AMI is a great opportunity to "show off the unit" and to demonstrate how hard you have been looking.

Allowing Woman in the Infantry in the US Military or Not...?

Description and Definition of Infantry

On Monday we discussed differing perspectives on merging male and female sports at all levels to provide equal opportunity to everyone. The discussion topic met with differing views and is a precursor to this posts topic, allowing women into the infantry of the US Army, the US Marine Corps, and special operations.

Four Female Military Officers Supported by the ACLU are suing the Department of Defense over the combat exclusion clause prohibiting women from serving in direct combat arms roles. The military does not currently allow women to serve in ground combat units, such as infantry, artillery, armor or as special operations commandos. Recent wars without clear front lines have frequently pushed women assigned to support roles directly into the fighting. Read the below articles to hear their perspectives :

ACLU Lawsuit by female military officers

Before you form opinions, remember the issue is not whether or not woman face and experience combat in today's non-linear where the enemy operates among the populace. Of course military woman face combat situations and in many cases excel in serving and sacrificing for their country.

The issue is should they serve in armor, artillery, infantry, and special operations assigned to direct combat???

Here is one father's opinion:

Not Time Yet For Women To Serve In The Infantry

Here is an update on what the USMC is doing about this topic:

Marines Test Woman in the Infantry Course for the First Time

Lastly Read the Opinion of One Female Marine Officer Who Has Combat Experience

Get Over It We Are Not All Created Equally

TASKS:
1. Read the post and the attached articles and determine if you are for or against allowing females in some or all of the combat arms specialties.
2. You will be formed into groups to informally debate your team's opinion as a public speaking endeavor. Try to use some specific facts and arguments from the attached readings.
3. Post your personal opinion to this blog as your homework for this week.

DO THE NEEDS OF THE FEW OUTWEIGH THE NEEDS OF THE MANY...?

Current Affairs & Public Speaking Topic: Desegregating Sports

WHEN IS CHANGE A GOOD THING, AND WHEN IS IT A BAD THING?

It is 2012, so what other barriers need to be broken down for equal opportunity for people? When we were younger many of us played on the same team until we got older. Then the teams were segregated. What about sports? Why are some sports integrated by mixing genders (wrestling, golf) while others remain segregated by gender or by developing gender focused teams such as basketball, football, soccer? 

TOPIC: The topic we will discuss in class today is to merge male and female sports teams at every level: elementary & middle school; high school and college, and professional. 

Wrestling at our school is mixed gender? 

Task Today in class:  

1. Discuss the topic in open forum. (15 mins)
2. Form two groups (with a team leader) each focusing on a different side of the topic above: FOR integrating the genders for sports or AGAINST sports gender integration. (5 mins)
3. Take 15 minutes and develop initial talking points and discuss in open forum (10 mins) before the end of class.

WHEN ARE THE NEEDS OF THE ONE, MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE NEEDS OF THE MANY...AND VICE VERSA?

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...?"

Peer Assessment for Group Project & Group Activity Business Rules

Learning to Work together in small groups is important for student centered learning and the ability to learn from your peers. The ability to work in small groups effectively as either a follower or as a leader are greatly sought after.

The maturity level and professionalism of the group members has a strong impact on how effective and efficient the group behaves and performs to complete their task. In comparison with an individual assignment, there is a tendency for students to relax, slack, and not take group activities or projects as seriously...like an adolescent educational form of "playtime". Learning to deconflict or merge the varying personalities of a group cause some people to prefer to work alone. Learning to WORK with others is not the same as SOCIALIZING...or is it? You will be asked to assess yourself, your group peers, and to recommend some group project business rules or protocols to set a group activity/ project standard for the class. What is the best way for us to maximize the value of group activities

Tuesday TASK:

1. Post your self assessed grade (A,B, C, D or F) and the rationale for your grade in the comments section of the blog (Name, and period need to be concluded). Also post your recommended business rules for future class group activities and projects in the comment section as well.

2.  You will assess your group peers on a separate piece of paper to be turned into SNSI.

Presidents Physical Fitness Test Challenge

President's Physical Fitness Test Challenge Activities

Click on the Above Link to find out more.

The Physical Fitness Test* includes five activities that measure muscular strength/endurance, cardio-respiratory endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility:

• Curl-ups (or partial curl-ups)
• Shuttle run
• Endurance run/walk
• Pull-ups (or right angle push-ups or flexed-arm hang)
• V-sit reach (or sit and reach)