154 JROTC cadets take part in Spring Camp

One hundred and fifty four CNMI JROTC cadets representing Rota, Saipan Southern, Marianas High, Tinian, and Kagman high schools participated in a five-day Cadet Leadership Challenge held last week in Obyan.

The federal government provided JROTC programs in the Commonwealth $20,000 to pay for the transportation cost of the cadets from Tinian and Rota as well as the meals for the participants, instructors, and chaperones.

The Cadet Leadership Challenge, also known as Spring Camp, ran from March 20 to 24 and provided cadets an opportunity to practice leadership skills in an unfamiliar environment and the opportunity to conduct adventure training activities not normally available at their home stations.

According to Lt. Col. Bob Gay, director of Army Instruction in the CNMI, cadets joined a daily regimen that included roll call, morning physical training, and a full day of events and nightly activities. These activities included rappelling, leadership reaction course, obstacle course, platoon drill, rope bridge construction, knot tying, land navigation, first aid, and academic challenge.

The cadets also visited historical World War II sites and met with CNMI federal park rangers chief Nancy Kelcher and her staff, Brian Piercy and Sam Martinson. The federal park rangers gave them an orientation on the American National Park Museum and a brief history of the CNMI and its people.

Marianas High School cadets also briefed fellow JROTC camp teammates on the role Saipan played in World War II.

Gay said that Spring Camp also included three highly spirited contests such as cadet challenge PT test, interactive academic challenge, and platoon drill.

Rota High School emerged victorious in the platoon drill and PT test, while Tinian JROTC ruled the academic challenge.

Gay said the activities provided the cadets authentic learning activities and promoted invaluable skills in leadership, teamwork, problem solving, discipline, self-esteem, personal responsibility, making decisions, and sociability.

During the closing formation, Gay recognized and thanked the program instructors and chaperones for leading and caring for the cadets. He was especially proud of the camaraderie and spirit demonstrated by all the participants.

Gay said Spring Camp concluded with a five-mile road march from the Obyan campsite to the MHC JROTC classrooms.

For SSHS command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Echon, this year’s camp activities provided students basic techniques in survival. In his fourth encampment, Echon noted the increasing number of participants and the well-developed activities for the event.

Cadet Capt. Carlene Moses, also of SSHS, said she will forever be grateful for the program, which developed her character and skills.

“It builds my character as a whole…[and] develops my confidence and ability to work and interact with others,” she said.

A total of 42 cadets from MHS joined Spring Camp.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Khaydee Sampang said the whole experience was enriching.

“It’s my first time in the camp and I truly learned a lot,” she said, admitting that she was scared to try rappelling and navigational activities but was successful in the end.

“It enhanced our leadership skills and developed us into more active citizens. It tested our patience, confidence, and abilities,” she said.

MHS cadet Capt. Alexis Bowie said the experiences and first-hand training at the camp would be helpful to students who plan to join the military after graduation.