NROTC

Cadets Host Units From 10 Schools for Challenge

Nearly 150 JROTC and Sea Cadet students from 10 schools in Maine and New Hampshire were hosted by MMA and University of Maine Naval and Army ROTC students at MMA on the weekend of March 31.

They were treated to a variety of unique events and activities. For example, after cadets checked in—and completed a brief and exciting evacuation drill—they were berthed aboard TS State of Maine. This was the first time in at least the last decade JROTC students have been berthed on the ship. It was a great

Cadets get to try some of Marine fitness training provided by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Dean Begaye.

opportunity for these JROTC students to have a glimpse of what ship life is all about.

Saturday events began with a physical training session led by Gunnery Sergeant Dean Begaye, USMC. After breakfast, the cadets visited MMA facilities, including the diesel lab where they learned about different engine components and function; the wet lab where they observed

sea life being studied; land navigation at Fort George led by the University of Maine Army ROTC; bridge simulation in the BIW building where they drove a destroyer; a leadership presentation; and an ocean survival lab in the Bok Pool.

All of this and more were made possible with help from 75 Navy and Army ROTC midshipman and cadets, active duty staff and Midshipman Tristan Albert, who was primarily responsible for planning the event.

“I believe our unit and partners,” he says, “have instilled a sense of pride in making the Leadership Challenge Weekend better than the previous year.”
—BY MIDSHIPMAN BRENDAN BRODERICK