USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) NJROTC Visit

            

Throughout several field trips, the NJROTC Phoenix Company has been fortunate to have visited several US aircraft carriers such as USS Stennis and USS George Washington. On Sunday, September 25, 2016, the Phoenix Company, along with the supervision of SNSI LtCol Roland Eisel and NSI Master Chief Valentino Separa, had the opportunity to visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) near the military port of Guam’s naval base. As always, each cadet was assigned a designated time for the field trip. The first half of the Phoenix Company arrived near the Pacific War Museum at 0900 hours and proceeded to go to the carrier at 1000.  The second half of the Phoenix Company arrived at the museum at 1300 hours and carried on with the trip at 1400.  All of the FDMS cadets were given the opportunity as other public organizations to visit the carrier and its crew.                                                                                                                        
To board the aircraft carrier visitors use appropriate naval procedures and traditions  In our case the individual cadet must stand at attention, face and salute the ship’s national ensign (located at the stern), and then face the officer of the deck at the entrance. Finally, they must ask, “Permission to come aboard, sir/ma'am?” Cadets used their cadet military rank of their naval JROTC unit and followed through with the rest of the Phoenix Company. After boarding, the cadets toured interior compartments/spaces and the flight/hangar decks of the USS Ronald Reagan. From the bunks of the naval officers and the crew members to the flight deck exposed to intense heat, the cadets were given multiple opportunities to experience what it was like to serve on this ship. Of course, they were several officers that gave the cadets deeper insights on what to expect when serving overseas and thousands of miles away from your family and friends. Needless to say, these sailors must rely on each other and are responsible to operate as a close-knit team the entire carrier as they mutually crew and operate the ship with all of its high-tech aircraft and equipment.                                                                                                                                                          
In conclusion, the cadets of the Phoenix Company learned many valuable life lessons today. Being thousands of miles away from your hometown is tough, and being in the military is not for everyone. Yes, being on a cruiser or a carrier might be a bit overwhelming initially, but it can be quite adventurous at the same time. Some of the cadets have now realized that they still have a long way to go in order to be fully ready for the Navy in particular and the military in general. However, this is just one more reason why the FDMS NJROTC Phoenix Company teaches such an extensive naval science curriculum.  This visit is an example of NJROTC Phoenix Company giving cadets motivation and drive to pursue leadership skills and community involvement throughout their lives. Finally if an FD cadet chooses a career to become involved in aviation from sea-going carriers as contribution of his service to country, then this visit to CVN USS Ronald Reagan was an important and early step in that direction.