The Cadets
The cadets of the massachusetts bay division wrote the following articles:
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Recruit training, fort devens (2017)
Aboard Joshua L. Booth, specifically Charlie Division, there was a lot to learn. From military bearing, marching, and even learning how to work alongside as a team with my shipmates. At first it was challenging because it seemed that within anything I did, there was a mistake. Although as time progressed I matured and learned from my mistakes, becoming a better shipmate each day of boot camp. Eventually some of shipmates and myself were given leadership roles, which helped Charlie become a better division.
When discussing the challenges met at boot camp, there’s a wide variety of answers. Most people say it’s physical, some say it’s mental. Either way you can’t come out of the training without maturing in at least one aspect. For me, my main challenge was breaking out of my shell of individualism. At boot camp, Charlie Division had outstanding RDCs and ARDCs who taught them how work as a leader, and a follower. Working as a team did us wonders; and gave us a streamer, too. In the obstacle course, we completed the course in a short period time. In the military drill, we won 1st place and had received a streamer for our performance. Although Charlie didn’t make it as honor division, I believe we progressed the most out all companies. I believe this because we went from having a sock on our guidon, to being neck and neck with Foxtrot Division, who was expected to be honor division. Thanks to RT Devens, I’ve had the best possible start to my Sea Cadet career.
Written by Cadet Elena C. (Age 14)
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Field Leadership Course, California (2017)
“We improvise, adapt, and overcome.” Those were the words spoken by Clint Eastwood’s character in Heartbreak Ridge, a movie filmed where we trained. True to this quote, our training contigent had to improvise in the face of being relocated due to military needs. Although we lost Camp Talega, we never lost sight of the true meaning of this training. This was not simply a training to absorb and copy information verbatim, nor was it about learning about the field. Instead, this training proposed a challenge to each one of us, and tasked us to utilize leadership and self-will in order to pass and excel at the various challenges. Along the way, all of us would come to an insurmountable obstacle, whether at the fields of the School of Infantry or at the ropes on the Obstacle Course. Nevertheless, we did not allow these set-backs to deter us from achieving the goal of becoming a Field Leader. We would learn about Marine Martial arts, squad formations and field medical information. All of these training contents were useless unless the leader was able to employ these tactics correctly in field scenarios. “The Gauntlet”, a 40-hour field operation, tested to see if we were able to employ these tactics in a field environment. To succeed, cadets needed to maintain a calm demeanor and entrust their fireteams to their respective leaders. After what seemed like an eternity, the operations in the Gauntlet came to an end; but there was one final test: a ruck march to First Sergeant’s Hill. Although the hill was only about half a mile in height, the steep incline fatigued our group as we marched on. But despite the challenge the hill presented, the crosses at the top reminded us of greater sacrifices that servicemen have made on hills such as Monte Cassino and Porkchop Hill. After we completed the Gauntlet, we had a Graduation Ceremony to recognize all who made it through and those who were qualified to be Field Leaders. This training both educated me and compelled me to excel in order to fully “graduate” the training as a leader.
Written by Cadet Jared S. (Honor Cadet from this training)(Age 17)