Schools

NJROTC Officer Recounts Military Orientation Trip

Lt. Col. Peter McCarthy provides readers a summary of last weekend's NJROTC trip to New England.

On Thursday morning March 24th, 34 Riverhead NJROTC cadets took the Cross Sound Ferry to New London, Conn. to begin their annual military orientation trip. This year the cadets spent four days undertaking a variety of activities at different locations. The first event upon arriving in New London was to receive a tour of the United States Coast Guard Academy as well as a brief from the Admissions Office. The cadets then journeyed to the Naval Base at Newport, RI where they would be staying for the next three days.

On Friday morning the cadets visited the Navy Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) where the Navy teaches officers how to operate, drive and navigate their war ships. The cadets were able to get some hands on time in a variety of  ship driving simulators and operate some of the most highly sophisticated, technologically advanced video systems in the world. Friday afternoon the cadets were provided a tour of the Naval War College Museum and Friday evening the cadets were able to visit downtown Newport and do some shopping.

Saturday morning the cadets travelled to Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass. which is home of the world’s largest collection of historic naval ships. Cadets ate lunch aboard the Battleship Massachusetts and toured a WWII submarine and a destroyer among many other ships. Saturday afternoon the cadets had a unique opportunity to visit two of the famous Newport Mansions and were amazed at the size and grandeur of these estates built by the Vanderbilts in the late 1800’s.

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On Sunday morning the cadets packed up to depart Newport and proceeded to the Submarine Museum in New London where the highlight was a tour of the first nuclear submarine Nautilus. Sunday afternoon the tired, but knowledgeable cadets returned to Riverhead with a large collection of valuable new experiences.

 

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This summary was provided by Lt. Col. Peter McCarthy of the Riverhead High School NJROTC Department.


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