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NORFOLK, Va. — Local Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members got a glimpse of the pomp and circumstance of major military ceremonies when they participated in the Commander, United States Fleet Forces change of command ceremony July 24 on board the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman.
The NJROTC cadets integrated with active-duty Sailors to man the flags of the 50 states in the union throughout the official turnover between Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert and Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr.
The cadets in attendance represented the top 10 percent of their respective units based out of I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Va., Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Va. and Norview, Booker T. Washington, Maury and Lake Taylor high schools in Norfolk.
"These kids are all really excited to be here," said Chief Warrant Officer Joseph R. Redwood, Sr., the senior naval science instructor at I.C. Norcom High School. "This will increase their intensity toward the program and they will go back to their unit and say 'we got to see the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations).'"
For the cadets it was a chance to not only talk to and interact with Sailors, but for many it was their first time on board a ship.
"I have never been on a carrier before," said Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Nikki Parkman, a prospective sophomore at Norview High School. "Being in here is cool in itself. I have never been to anything similar; it's really something."
Having the cadets on board can be good for the Navy, military and country as a whole.
"This might be the pinnacle that pushes them toward the military," said Redwood. "Some don't want to pursue the military after high school, but our goal is actually to help them become better citizens."
Retired Capt. Robert Gumpright, the NJROTC Area Five manager echoed Redwood's sentiments.
"We are trying to teach them to be better citizens and better patriots and live with self-discipline," he said. "Seeing the ships and facilities motivates them. They are trained and briefed but seldom do they get to see something of this magnitude. They get to see the chain-of-command that they have learned about up close."
Just having the opportunity to participate in the ceremony left some cadets with a feeling of accomplishment.
"It feels good," said Teshria Graham, a third-year cadet and prospective junior at I.C. Norcom High School. "It feels like I have come really far to be able to participate in this ceremony."
Gumpright hoped that all of the cadets walked away from the experience with a sense of pride in themselves and a sense of pride in their country.
The cadets' involvement in the ceremony was not lost on the departing U.S. Fleet Forces commander who thanked them during his farewell speech.
"Thank you very much kids for coming out today," said Greenert.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2009 14:30 |
| Story ID: | 36783 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, US |
| Web Views: | 333 |
| Downloads: | 280 |
This work, Local JROTC Cadets Take Part in Fleet Forces Change of Command, by PO1 Joseph Wax, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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