JROTC CADET CREED. 14 October Dear Parents/Guardians:

Transcription

1 JROTC CADET CREED I am an Army Junior ROTC Cadet. I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, country, school, and the Corps-of-Cadets. I am loyal and patriotic. I am the future of the United States of America. I do not lie, cheat, or steal and will always be accountable for my actions and deeds. I will always practice good citizenship and patriotism. I will work hard to improve my mind and strengthen my body. I will seek the mantle of leadership and stand prepared to uphold the Constitution and the American way of life. May God grant me the strength to always live by this creed. Dear Parents/Guardians: 14 October 2013 Greetings! This is our first edition of the Cadet Parent Newsletter. It s hard to believe that we are already into the fifth week of the first quarter! As a corps, we are 122 Army Strong ; 72% male and 28% female. We hit the ground running on 3 September and have accomplished a great deal since then. In this newsletter, we ll review some general information, look at first quarter events and look ahead to activities coming up second grading period. Additionally, we will highlight a few long-range key events so you can block your calendars now. As always, we want to thank all the parents/guardians for your support of the cadets, our program, and our numerous activities. Without your cheerful willingness to help, we couldn t provide the many opportunities that we do for our cadets. Here are the cadets who will lead the corps this year: Command Group Battalion Commander Battalion Executive Officer Battalion Command Sergeant Major Cdt LTC Tamarya Cook Cdt MAJ Devon Wienand Cdt CSM Hunter Brooks 1

2 Coordinating Staff S1 (Personnel) S2 (Recruiting, Inventories, Web-site) S3 (Plans, Operations, Training) S4 (Logistics) S5 (Public Affairs) Alpha Company Commander First Sergeant Bravo Company Commander First Sergeant Drill Team Commander Sergeant Major Cdt CPT Bo Hayes Cdt CPT Boen Deffenbaugh Cdt CPT Rocco Pulling Cdt CPT Britanie Costa Cdt CPT Heather Robertson Cdt CPT Jacoby Garnett Cdt 1SG Ryan Ledbetter Cdt CPT RaQuan Smithers Cdt 1SG James Chapman Cdt CSM Hunter Brooks Cdt SGM Jacob Donald General Information. School Bond Referendum (5 Nov 2013) Parents and guardians, we need your help on this one. Our high school was built in 1977 and has not had a major innovation in 36 years! As you can imagine, CHS is in desperate need of replacing critical systems vital to the operation of our school. The poor state of the aging equipment in CHS impacts our cadets directly. The classrooms have no air-conditioning! Try learning in a classroom that is 80+ degrees! As a stopgap measure, maintenance installed portable A/C units. Though much appreciated, they did little to mitigate the intense heat & humidity. The classroom s roof also leaks in any significant rainstorm. The current solution, move garbage cans under the leaks and mop up the water. Our cadets and other students deserve a better environment in which to learn. You can help fix this ongoing problem by voting for the school bond referendum on Nov 5, See you at the poles!! JROTC Blog Site. If you want to keep up-to-date on cadet activities, check our training schedule to see what your cadet is doing in class, review the uniform regulation, and search other important documents, then read our blog. Here s how you get there: go to the Caroline County Public Schools web page (ccps.us); click on our schools; click on CHS, click on Departments; and then click on LTC Pyner s or MSG Payne s name. Check out the site, lots of useful information! Cadet Uniform and Personal Appearance Standards. Parents, it is imperative that we get your full support in this area. Adhering to the uniform and personal appearance standards is not optional. JROTC is a uniformed program where discipline is judged, in part, by the manner in which a cadet wears a prescribed uniform, as well as by the individual s personal appearance. Cadets are required to wear the uniform once a week, primarily each Wednesday. The uniform must be worn properly throughout the entire school 2

3 day. Parents and cadets were given a copy of the uniform policy and it is also posted on our blog. The policy will be strictly and uniformly enforced. All cadets have received training on the proper wear and care of the uniform and this information is always included in the parents briefing at the beginning of each year. A neat and well-groomed appearance by all cadets is fundamental to the JROTC Program. The key to success is to prepare the uniform early. Have your cadet s uniform cleaned/laundered, if required, between Thursday and Saturday and then have it reassembled not later than Sunday. This will give the cadet the opportunity to fix or replace any missing or damaged items, or notify his/her chain of command of any problems on Monday. Thanks in advance for your continued support in this important area. We look forward to our first uniform day, Wednesday, 16 October They will look sharp!! Mandatory Competency Testing. This year all students must take a competency test. Here are the assessments for our cadets: Armed Services Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). All cadet seniors and juniors will take the ASVAB on Friday, 22 Nov 2013 at 8:00 a.m. in the auditorium. The test takes 3-hours and is given at no cost to the cadet. The ASVAB will assess the cadet s aptitude in the following nine areas: General Science Arithmetic Reasoning Word Knowledge Paragraph Comprehension Mathematics Knowledge Electronic Information Automobile Information Mechanical Comprehension Assembling Objects Cadets should strive to get an AFQT score (Armed Forces Qualification Test) higher than a 31. This score is used by the military services to help determine your qualification for military service and in what discipline you could best serve. Shortly after the test, all cadets will get a written report of their test scores. Should a cadet be absent on the 22 Nov 2013 test date, he/she will take the ASVAB on 21 Feb Taking the ASVAB does not commit the cadet to military service. JROTC has 20 copies of the latest ASVAB study guide for seniors and juniors to review. See LTC Pyner to sign one out. Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth (WRSC). All cadet sophomores and freshmen will take the WRSC during the first part of the second semester. The assessment addresses those skills employers are looking for in a prospective employee. The test is free, takes 60 minutes, has 100 questions, and is given on the computer. The WRSC will assess competency in the following areas: Personal Qualities and People Skills Professional Knowledge and Skills Technology Knowledge and Skills To be considered competent in the assessed skills requires a minimum score of 75%. Cadets who achieve a score of 75% or higher will receive an official state issued certificate. Community Service Requirement. Cadets are required to perform 10 hours of community service. Cadets have been provided a log on which to record their hours. This requirement is equal to two test grades in their fourth quarter and also earns them the Community Service ribbon. Examples of community service include, but are not limited to: helping at a nursing home, volunteering at a hospital, coaching a county youth sports team, helping the town with a clean-up project, offering childcare services for your church, adopt a highway, etc. Cadets cannot be paid for their service. As community 3

4 service opportunities come available, we will post them on the cadet bulletin board. Parents/guardians, please check periodically with your cadet to see how he/she is doing amassing the 10 hours of community service required by our curriculum. Make sure your cadet is not dragging his/her feet. Here s when the logs are due to your cadet s instructor: seniors by Wednesday, 28 May 2014; underclassmen by Monday, 9 June JROTC Hoodie & Sweat Pants on Sale. We are selling quality JROTC Hoodies, sweat pants, and T-shirts. Our goal is for all cadets to have this ensemble. Here are the hoodie prices: Sizes S-XL ($20.00), 2X ($21.00), & 3X ($22.00). Additionally, if you want your first name/nickname on the front, add a dollar. Sweat pants (with pockets) are offered for sale at the following prices: S-XL ($14.00), 2X ($16.00), 3X ($18.00). To round out the clothing line, we offer a Cavalier Battalion Gold T-shirt at the following prices: Sizes S-XL ($10.00), 2X ($11.00), & 3X ($12.00). Look for the order form that has been sent home with your cadet. Last day to place your order is Monday, 21 October Parents, thanks in advance for your help with this. 1st Grading Period Events (3 Sep 4 Nov 12). Cadets Sweep Sophomore Class Officer Elections! The student body voted recently to elect their class officers and selected a slate of cadets to lead them. The sophomore class leaders are: President: Brandon Apperson; Vice- President: Joe Thorne; Secretary/Treasurer: Jordan Chittick; and, Recorder: Collin Taylor. Congratulations cadets lead on! Cadets Selected for the CHS Leadership Academy! The following cadets were nominated by their teachers to serve as members of the school s Leadership Academy: RayQuan Smithers, Bo Hayes, James Chapman, Boen Deffenbaugh, Jordan Chittick, and Jimmy Hayes. They will attend meetings with the Superintendent, Principal, and other school district leaders to provide the student perspective on issues. Cadets constitute 50% of the academy membership! Congratulations on your selection and well serve your fellow students, school, and community. Cadet Academic & Leadership Teams Formed. US Army Cadet Command conducts a command wide on-line competition for all JROTC programs. Each program will field an Academic and Leadership team that will practice and then take a demanding on-line test in their respective area of expertise. Last year our Academic team advanced to the second round. This year, their goal is for both teams to make it to the second round. Our team members are: Academic Team: Leadership Team: James Chapman Jacob Knicely Joshua Sacra Ryan Ledbetter Hunter Brooks Boen Deffenbaugh Jordan Chittick William Martin Collin Taylor Heather Robertson Good luck cadets! 4

5 Drill Team. The team is off and running to prepare for another year of competition. The team this year has great potential with the return of several veterans and new group of energetic and motivated cadet s. Three meets are scheduled: Frank D. Underwood Drill Meet on 26 Oct 2013 at Ft. Lee; Fort Lee Invitational Drill Meet on 16 Nov 2013; and, the Martin Luther King Drill Meet in Richmond on 18 Jan The Commanders of the drill team are Cadet Command Sergeant Major Hunter Brooks and Cadet Sergeant Major Jacob Donald. Members include: Tamarya Cook, Jacoby Garnett, Taylor Cook, Brian Harrison, Justin Bailey, Alisha Elgin, Tyler Pladson, Rocco Pulling, Joshua Sacra, Gabby Amshoff, Nykema Barnett, Dan Scarlett, Brandon Apperson, Mick Campos, Jordan Chittick, Jimmy Hayes, Ryan Johnson, William Martin, Heather Robertson, Collin Taylor, Joe Thorne, April Berry, Olivia Bledsoe, Matt Delcourt, Blake Paxton, Tristan Randall, Alexa Shamblin, Danielle Smith, Arlen Seibold, Jonathan Vass, and Christian Atkins. Remember the team will only excel if our members remain dedicated and attend our twice-weekly practices on Monday and Tuesday from 2:45-5:00 p.m. MSG(R) Payne coaches the team. Color Guard. These dedicated cadets have been extremely busy well representing our school and corps at home football games, school events, and community activities. Wherever they perform, they do so with military bearing, precision, and professionalism. They do an exceptional job. Members include: Tamarya Cook, Hunter Brooks, Boen Deffenbaugh, Rocco Pulling, Heather Robertson, Jacob Donald, and Ryan Johnson. MSG(R) Payne trains the color guard. Thanks for your exemplary example and service. Raider Team. This team will compete in events that challenge physical stamina and knowledge of map reading and 1 st aid techniques. The turnout for a chance to be selected as a Raider has been strong. As of this letter, tryouts continue by a dedicated and highly motivated group of cadets. MSG(R) Payne coaches the team. Rifle Team. Cadets who wish to compete for slot on the rifle team must attend a one-time offered mandatory organizational meeting on Thursday 17 October after school in the JROTC classroom. At this meeting, they will be given a rifle safety class, a rifle safety exam, and will be briefed on team operations and the team qualification process. After the meeting, the cadets will be provided a tryout practice schedule that will include Saturday practices. We will field a 12-person team (two teams of five and two alternates). Here s our tentative match schedule (dates TBA). 9 Dec 13 Blue Ridge Postal Match Dec 13 Army JROTC Postal Match Dec 13 Wythe-Jackson HS Invitational Jan 14 American Legion Postal Match Feb 14 MOWW Invitational 13 Feb 14 Sidney Lanier HS Postal Match Mar 14 Dillon HS Rifle Postal Matches Mar 14 King George HS NJROTC Invitational 20 Mar 14 Intra-Team Marksmanship Badge Shoot Off 5

6 Like the drill team, the key to becoming exceptional rests with the dedication of the individual team member. Once formed, we will practice on Monday and Thursday from 2:45 p.m. until activity bus departure. On weeks leading up to a Saturday match, we will schedule additional practices. Parents please assist by scheduling routine appointments on afternoons other than our practice days. We look forward to seeing your cadet at the organizational meeting on 17 October. LTC(R) Pyner coaches the team. Cadet Fundraiser #1 (14 Oct 25 Oct 2013) Within the past two years, 75% of our budget has been cut. In order to continue to provide the many activities (field trips, Christmas luncheon, awards banquet, etc.) we conduct for the cadets, we will conduct two fundraisers this year. The cadets will sell $1.00 brand name candy bars; all proceeds will go into their cadet fund. Cash prizes will be given for our top three salespersons. 1 st place: $100; 2 nd place: $75; and, 3 rd place: $ Thanks in advance cadets and parents for your help to make this fund-raising effort a success. Our second fundraiser will be conducted in March, dates to be determined. Questions? Contact MSG(R) Payne. 2 nd Grading Period Events (6 Nov Jan 14). Operation Shoebox (2-18 Dec 13) What better way to start the holiday season, then to work together to bring some happiness to less fortunate children in our own community! With the state of the economy, this servicelearning project will be even more meaningful than in years past. This year, we will expand our efforts as we partner with other student organizations and the Department of Social Services. Here s how this works. Cadets will be asked to buy a new present for a child between the ages of Christmas wrap the present, write the age and sex of the child on the present, and put it under the Christmas tree in JROTC. After the Christmas luncheon on 18 December, the cadet leadership will deliver our gifts to social services for distribution to less fortunate children in our county. A flyer will be sent home with more details. Last year we delivered 133 gifts; this year our goal is to donate 150!! Cadets who participate will earn the Service Learning Ribbon. Let s do this!! Senior Gala (5 Dec 13). Each year an evening is set aside to provide our county s senior citizens a special Holiday Celebration. This year s Gala will be held in the CHS gym and is open to all of our senior citizens. This is a big deal for our senior citizens and they look forward to attending each year. They are fed a great meal by Chef Jazz, enjoy holiday music provided by the band, and have the opportunity to dance and socialize. Key to the success of the event is the tremendous support they receive from the corps-of-cadets. The cadets wear the Class A uniform and act as escorts for our seniors. Cadets meet the seniors at the curb, escort them to the coatroom, and then escort them to their table. During the evening the cadets assist the seniors as required and then at the conclusion of the Gala, escort them to their vehicles as required. Last year the many cadets who supported the Gala received countless comments from all in attendance on their manners and appearance. Look for a flyer and sign-up sheet for this event. We need a lot of cadets to volunteer to make this evening a success for our senior citizens. Date to be announced. 6

7 Bowling Green Christmas Parade (14 Dec 13). Once again, the corps of cadets will participate in the annual Bowling Green Christmas Parade. Since this is the only opportunity we have to parade for the citizens of our county, we fully expect every cadet to march with their corps. We seek to defend our Best in Parade trophy from last year s parade! To this end, we must practice as a corps to ensure we are ready. Please mark the following mandatory practice dates on your calendar: 10, 11, & 12 December. We will practice each day from 2:45 until departure of the activity bus. Cadets must attend two of the three practices to earn the right to participate in the parade. Cadets who attend a minimum of two practices and march in the parade, will receive two hours of community service and will earn the Parade Ribbon. This is a fun event in which the cadets will be glad they participated!! Cadet Christmas Luncheon (18 Dec 13). We ll ring in the Christmas season by hosting a buffet lunch for the cadets in the JROTC area during the three lunch periods. Instead of going to their regularly scheduled lunch period, cadet will come and have lunch with the corps. Chef Jazz and crew will cater the lunch and are working up the menu. To offset the expense of the luncheon, we ll ask the cadets to chip-in a few bucks. Be on the lookout for a flyer about our luncheon. Cadet Photos (14 Jan 14). North American Photographers will be here to photograph the cadets during their JROTC class period. Once the photos are taken, the company will return for two evening to show the proofs to the cadet parents/guardians. A flyer will go home with the details about the two evening proof nights. You are under no obligation to make a purchase. If you like your cadet s photos, you can purchase one of many different packages from the company. All cadets photographed will appear in a corps composite photo that will hang in the JROTC Department. There is no makeup date for pictures. What LTC Pyner is teaching the LET-2s and LET-3s 1st & 2 nd grading periods. LET-2s: - Military History - Drill & Ceremonies - Citizenship - Organized Athletics/Physical Training - Leadership - Communications (Information Papers due 3 Dec 13) - Map Reading - LET-3s: - Leadership - Drill & Ceremonies - Citizenship - Organized Athletics/Physical Training - Military History - Communications (Information Papers due 22 Oct 13) What MSG Payne is teaching the LET-1s and LET-4s 1st & 2 nd grading period. - Leadership - Drill & Ceremonies - Communications - Motivation - Instructional Techniques - Organized Athletics/Physical Training - American Military Tradition, Customs, & Courtesies 7

8 1 st & 2 nd Grading Period Events (14 Oct Jan 14) 14 Oct 13 Final Uniform Fitting Day 14 Oct 13 Homecoming parade & football game 14 Oct 13 Academic & Leadership Team Practice Oct 13 Corps Fund Raiser (Candy Sales) 15 Oct 13 Academic & Leadership Team Round I Practice 16 Oct 13 First uniform day 17 Oct 13 Rifle Team Organizational Meeting 19 Oct 13 Bowling Green Harvest Festival 21 Oct 13 Academic & Leadership Team Round I Practice 22 Oct 13 LET-3 Information Papers & Power Point Presentations Due 22 Oct 13 Academic & Leadership Team Round I Practice 25 Oct 13 Football Game (Color Guard) 26 Oct 13 Frank D. Underwood Drill Meet (Ft. Lee) 4 Nov 13 Academic & Leadership Team Level I On-line Competition 4 Nov 13 1 st grading period ends 5 Nov 13 Student Holiday/Teacher Workday 11 Nov 13 Veterans Day Observance (CHS Faculty) 11 Nov 13 Korean War Memorial Dedication (CHS lawn) 12 Nov 13 Report Cards 14 Nov 13 Early Dismissal/Parent Conferences 16 Nov 13 Ft. Lee Annual Drill Meet (Ft. Lee) 22 Nov 13 ASVAB Testing (Mandatory for all JROTC Seniors & Juniors) 22 Nov 13 Support CMS Career Fair (Recruiting) Nov 13 Thanksgiving break Dec 13 Wythe-Jackson HS Invitational Dec 13 Army JROTC Postal Match 2-18 Dec 13 Operation Shoebox 3 Dec 13 LET-2 Information Papers & Power Point Presentations Due 5 Dec 13 Senior Gala Dec 13 Parade Practices (Mandatory) 12 Dec 13 Interims 14 Dec 13 Christmas Parade (Bowling Green) 18 Dec 13 JROTC Cadet Christmas Luncheon 23 Dec 13-3 Jan 14 Christmas Break Jan 14 American Legion Postal Match 6 Jan 14 School reopens 13 Jan 14 Lead pledge at school board meeting 14 Jan 14 Cadet Photos 18 Jan 14 MLK Drill Meet (Richmond) 20 Jan 14 Academic & Leadership Team Round II Practice 20 Jan 14 MLK Holiday 27 Jan 14 Academic & Leadership Team Round II Practice 27 Jan 14 LET-3 Research Papers & Power Point Presentations Due 29 Jan 14 End of 2 nd grading period 8

9 Long Range Events (Block your calendar now!!). 9 May 13 Cadet Awards Banquet (Elk s Lodge, Fredericksburg, 6:00 p.m.) Jun 13 (T) JCLC (Summer Camp, Ft. A.P. Hill) How to contact your cadet s instructor. JROTC office phone: (804) JROTC FAX: (804) LTC (R) Bob Pyner: MSG (R) Roland Payne: rpyner@ccps.us rpayne@ccps.us 9