Attention on NJROTC as 23 get perfect scores at inspection (slide show)
- By Steve Powell
MARYSVILLE – Twenty-three cadets received “perfect scores” at the recent Annual Military Inspection at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Also, cadet Lt. Cmdr. Matt Allen received the Legion of Valor medal, the cadet equivalent to the Medal of Honor. There are 583 NJROTC units nationwide, each with a minimum of 100 cadets. Only 22 such medals were awarded. The criteria was sustained superior performance, academic excellence and proven leadership. All 143 NJROTC cadets were inspected by Capt. Daniel Wenceslao in uniform and knowledge.
Those receiving 10 scores were: •9th grade: Kaila Estrella and Kimberly Middlemist.
•10th grade: Maekyla Bonifacio, Emma French, Shawn Reyes and Isabel Velasco.
•11th grade: Deandre Adriano, Taylor Bucey, Netaniah Calvo, Kevin Crumrine, Cian Engle, Alex Galicia, Katelyn Leary, Sedryck Reyes, Jastine Tala, Victoria Wilde and Jerahmy Umayam.
•12th grade: Allysa Bojador, Elizabeth Card, Ian Crosby, Lanz Estrella, Melissa Knight and Kody Reno.
The second part of the inspection is the staff, led by Allen, presents the unit to Wenceslao via a slide presentation. Also, the Administration and Supply departments are physically inspected for accuracy and accountability.
The final part is the Pass-in-Review parade run by the cadets.
“This is not easy,” said Capt. Michael F. Davis of Naval Station Everett. He added whether they end up joining the Navy or not, “Lessons learned will last forever.”
The culmination of the events resulted in the Company earning the “BRAVO ZULU” pennant from Wenceslao. “Seeing a second-year cadet participate when they were too nervous to do it the year before, watching a cadet that is differently abled stand fully at attention…, knowing a few of the cadets are mourning a recent loss of loved ones… those are the victories the cadets will hold dear and I find priceless,” Navy science instructor retired Chief Kathleen Wilde said. The north stands were packed in the M-P gym for the parade and drill team performances. Cadets practiced every day in class and had three other one-hour practices. Most are in their first year.
“In September they were issued uniforms, taught how to wear them, learned how to march, and had to memorize the national chain of command and the 11 Orders to the Sentry,” Wilde said.
Other cadet officers: Executive Officer Lt. Cristina Velasco; Company Master Chief Petty Officer Victoria Wilde; Operations Officer Lt.j.g. Umayam; Administrative Officer Lt.j.g. Adriano; Supply Officer Ensign Hunter Richardson-Wright; Public Affairs Officer Petty Officer 1st Class Amber Mckenzie; Training Officer Chief Petty Officer Aaron Abele; 1st Lt. Lt. j.g. Sean Lespade; Recruiting Officer Ensign Joseph Ecolongo; Teams Coordinator Lt.j.g. Lanz Estrella; Fundraising Lt.j.g. Bojador; Community Service Senior Chief Leary; and Inspector General Lt. Cmdr. Card. Among the other honored guests were: Retired U.S. Merchant Marine Capt. Hugh Johnson and Cmdr. Warren Hakes, commanding officer, Afloat Training Group Pacific Northwest.
Learn more at https://www.marysvilleglobe.com/life/attention-on-njrotc-program-at-m-p-slide-show/