Kagman’s Ayuyu Battalion changes command

The Kagman High School’s Ayuyu Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets recently paid tribute to their outgoing and incoming battalion commanders during a turnover ceremony held Friday, May 27, at the school’s basketball court.

Outgoing Ayuyu Battalion commander cadet Lt. Col. Justin Santos passed the leadership baton to incoming commander, cadet Lt. Col. Trinita Concepcion in a traditional ceremony that is held at the school every end of the school year.

The ceremony signified the transfer of the duties, responsibilities, and authority from the previous commander to the new commander to lead the JROTC battalion.

As the host institution principal for the Kagman JROTC program, Doreen Tudela officially passed the battalion flag between the two commanders. Assisting Tudela was cadet CSM Mario Patrinus. With her acceptance of the Ayuyu battalion flag, Concepcion now assumes the commander’s authority and the responsibility for what the Ayuyu battalion does or fails to do.

Santos received awards for his outstanding performance as the Ayuyu battalion commander for school year 2004-2005. Present for his award presentation was his mother, Victoria C. Babauta.

Concepcion was promoted to her current rank with her mother helping in the pinning of her new rank.

Santos gave thanks to all cadets for their support and accomplishments during his watch as the battalion commander. He said leaving the battalion, the Ayuyu team, and the great group of people in the Ayuyu battalion was one of the hardest things he ever had to do.

He gave credit to MSG James Burke and SFC Juan King for his success. He thanked both Army instructors for their guidance, patience, and encouragement throughout his time with the JROTC.

He also asked the Public School System, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos, the Board of Education and its chair, Roman Benavente, and all board members; Gov. Juan Babauta, and the CNMI Legislature to continue to help the JROTC program.

Leading and directing the actual sequence of events for the ceremony was cadet Maj. Satomie Magofna, the commander of cadets. The battalion adjutant who led the opening ceremony by bringing all cadets to attention and receiving reports to account for all cadets in the formation was cadet Capt. Tracy Babauta. The emcee for the ceremony was cadet MSG Georgia Cabrera.

The female saber color guard team consisted of cadet 1st Sgt. Alejandra Indalecio, cadet Capt. Jennifer Arriarte, cadet 1st Lt. Celing Fogata, and cadet 1st Lt. Conillia Crisostomo. The company commanders leading their units in stationary drill and marching movements in the ceremony were cadet Maj. Bradley Jones for headquarters and headquarters company; cadet 1st Lt. Samuel Mosely for alpha company; cadet Capt. Jeffrey Repeki for Bravo company; and cadet 1st Sgt. Ariann Cepeda, acting company commander for Charlie Company.

The ceremonial music arrangement, PA system support, and operation was done by cadet Maj. Jonathan Salas.

Cadet Lt. Col. Santos took time to thank his mom and dad for their undying love and support during his command of this battalion.

Cadet Lt. Col. Concepcion also thanked her mom for her continuing support and encouragement. She thanked Burke and King for their confidence in her, resulting in her selection for the Ayuyu’s top leadership position.

She said she will do her best to maintain the outstanding reputation built by the Ayuyu Battalion as she leads the battalion for school year 2005-2006. .

Among the guests were Gov. Babauta; BOE chair Benavente; associate commissioner for instructional services Rita Sablan; CNMI JROTC operations and acting director of army instruction CSM Doroteo Aguigui; Tom Tebuteb; Army Reserve Maj. Edward Camacho; MSU MPC SFC Celestin Damian; MSU supply specialist Angie King; SSHS army instructor SFC Richard Haugh; and MHS army instructor SFC Pedro Gloria, with cadet Lt. Col. Jannel Camacho, MHS battalion commander; and cadet Lt. Col. Normaine Pangelinan, former MHS battalion commander.