BLT 2016: Boot Camp for Brotherhood and Leadership

BLT: One of the most anticipated events the FDMS NJROTC Phoenix Company has waited for since the beginning of the school year. After weeks of preparation for the Basic Leadership Training Camp, staff, assistants and other helpers were eager to teach and discipline the new recruits for the next several days. Just right after the school-wide barbecue that had  filled the student body’s appetite and emphasized the meaning of brotherhood. However, On Labor Day Weekend, from September 2-4, most of the cadets from the Phoenix Company have attended the “boot camp” that will sooner or later be a fairly new tradition in NJROTC and be a part of the brotherhood.                                                                                                                                                   Day One: After the school-wide barbecue, all of the new recruits reported to the Jungle at 1600, where most of the events during the camp will take place in. Under the leadership of camp commander and Cadet Command Master Chief Daryl Damian, a numerous amount of sea bags were being checked by the senior officers and their assistants as the cadet cadres were storing their personal items inside the ROTC building as well. Obviously, they held the opening ceremony in the Jungle and had the cadets be debriefed on the events that will take place during the military boot camp. Immediately, the pressure was on for       each cadet within the squads of the platoons to do the best they can and prove to themselves that they can do it. Subsequently, From the 1st and 2nd Platoon drill movements in the afternoon to the 2-minute shower for hygiene in the evening, the tension in the atmosphere was tougher. Lights out for the cadets to sleep in the Jungle and for the staff and cadres in the ROTC building at 2200.                                                                                          Day Two: All the pieces were coming together. The Camp Reveille played on the speaker in the Jungle and shockingly woke up everybody at 0415. “WAKE UP!” “GET UP NOW!” “LET’S GO!” “MOVE IT!” “YOU’RE WASTING TIMES!” These are just some of the lenient phrases the officers and cadres used to encourage the tired cadets from sleeping anymore. The first event the Phoenix Company did was morning PT. From the FD Shuffle to the Formation Run along with the catchy Joddies, everybody felt energised and ready to start off the day with breakfast. After eating eggs, rice and sausage for the morning, the cadets were divided into their platoons respectively to do basic movement drills for the drill competition at the end of the camp and being air rifle shooting and training between 0930-1200. At the end of these events, they ate a hearty lunch that filled their stomachs along with icy cold water and/or Chamorro punch. They continued with the Team Building event where each platoon must work together in order to complete games like Minefield or Zombie Escape. After more drill competitions and graduation practices, the cadets and their commanders prepared themselves to watch “Annapolis” the movie at the school’s mini theatre. Finally, lights were out at 2230 for everyone in the camp as TAPS played in the background.                       Day 3: As the final day of BLT, it was the moment everybody will never forget. Camp Reveille was played one last time. Before the scorching sun would beat down on the cadets’ faces,   it was 0530 and the whole company attended morning Sunday mass. Words of wisdom were spoken from Fr. Richard Kidd who woke up respectively for the entire camp. Afterwards, the cadets had breakfast with each other for the last time before they graduate from BLT.         Of course, more events followed breakfast such as Tug-o-war, Capture-the-flag and an obstacle course. I guess you can say it was a field day for everyone. Of course, we were just hours away from the graduation as we cleansed ourselves in the showers from the sweat, dirt and tears and prepped our NSU uniforms and shoes for the big ceremony. Suddenly, parents and other friends came to attend their sons’ milestone in NJROTC history. Everyone was inspected in the platoons and then followed their platoon drill competitions.  Each platoon received their final scores.  Let’s not forget: a well-practiced Color Guard appeared and participated in the graduation as they conducted Parade the Colors. 2nd Platoon won the best or Honor Platoon during the camp. Thanks to SNSI LtCol Eisel, NSI Master Chief Separa, C/CDR Dominc Salenga, and C/CMC Daryl Damian, the BLT was a big success, and the record of completed events show that the senior staff, cadre, and especially the recruits are all ready to continue their journey during NJROTC and after high school.