NJROTC cadets go to Parris

Thirty-five Riverhead NJROTC cadets chose to spend their spring break visiting the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (Boot Camp) at Parris Island, SC. And Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va. The bus left Riverhead at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 and after driving all night the weary cadets arrived on the base at 8 a.m. Monday morning where they were met by one of the “ friendly” neighborhood Drill Instructors, whose job is to train recruits and make Marines. The Drill Instructor, Sergeant Horn, had no sympathy for the tired cadets and quickly made them forget the long ride by using the tried and true motivational techniques unique to Marine Drill Instructors.

There was no down time for the suddenly alert cadets who were immediately marched to the Simulated Marksmanship Trainer where they were all able to conduct target practice with the M-16 rifle. For the next three days cadets were able to experience life on Parris Island under simulated recruit training conditions. They slept in recruit barracks, ate in the dining facility, participated in recruit training courses as well as physical fitness courses such as the Confidence Course and the Obstacle Course. Reveille was at 0500 and Sergeant Horn was their constant “companion” throughout the visit. In addition to the hands on training, cadets received classes in leadership and drill and were able to visit the Parris Island Museum and shop in the Post Exchange.

The Cadets then travelled to Oceana Naval Air Station, a Master Jet Base, for an entirely different experience where they received an in depth look at how an Air Station operates from aviation maintenance shops and flight simulators, to jet engine repair. The highlight of this trip was getting a guided tour and brief from one of the F/A-18F Super Hornet pilots from Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), nicknamed “The Fighting Checkmates”. Cadets observed flight operations from the runway, received a brief in the “Ready Room”, tried on flight helmets and G-suits, visited jets up close in the hanger and got a bird’s eye view from the Control Tower.

The trip was not all education and training, however, as the final day of the trip was spent relaxing at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. where the cadets were able to get on some rides that appeared every bit as exciting as an F-18 flight. The cadets returned late Saturday night after a long, but exciting and informative trip.

Source: Press release issued by Riverhead Centra School District, April 25.