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USNSCC Aurora Division Ships Log |
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To submit an entry for the Ship's Log, click on the button below to e-mail it to the Web Administrator either in the message itself or as a file attachment in text format (.txt). Entries should be no more than 125 words. Be sure to include the date(s) and title of your training or activity.
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22 April 2009 To All Command, Staff and cadets of the Aurora and Arleigh Burke Divisions, As Supply Officer and organizer of various events I wish to thank each of you for a successful Bivouac. This year’s Bivouac was a tremendous event. Even though it was clouded by a little rain we all had great camaraderie and learned much about each other. I would also like to thank Retired PO2 Brookins for his support. The Seal Training will be remembered for a long time. INST Rob Claus Supply Officer Aurora Division
11 March 2009 USCG Station, Holland, MI, 17-30AUG08 This summer I attended the USCG training in Holland, MI. I really didn’t know what to expect since it was my first “real” training. It was more like you were actually in the coast guard for two weeks instead of it just being at a training. The station I was staying at was one of the less strict ones; every morning from 0600 to 1100 we would make the facility spotless. From then on we would share stories from our life and challenge each other to guitar “battles” until a call came in. When a call did come in, every one would put on their game faces and get ready to save lives. One time some one actually fell overboard and their boat kept going. It ended up crashing into a police vessel, almost capsizing it! It was definitely one of the most fun summers I have ever had. SR Ramsey Bachman, USNSCC
4 January 2009 USNSCC Recruit Training, ANG Lavinia, TN, 13JUL-27JUL 2008 I attended boot camp down south in Tennessee from July 13 to July 27. The RT was not easy; we did PT every day and five mile runs as well on top of that, but overall it was fun. I was the only one from Illinois. We went to the rifle range where I scored sharpshooter that day and also had firefighting training as well. We also had several helicopters from the army to look at and ask the crew any questions that we had. At the end of the RT we had to do the "Freedom Run" which was an eight mile run and we could not stop moving. I'm glad to say every one finished the run in 1h 52min, the corpsman told us. And I'm also very happy to say that my company which was Bravo received the Honor Company award because we didn't quit when it got hard. I hope to be able to go back down there and staff because it was an experience of a life time that I will never forget. SR Arron Atkinson, USNSCC
2 January 2009 NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA), 26DEC08 – 1JAN09, Camp Dodge, IA I attended POLA at Camp Dodge Iowa, but was ready to travel anywhere to attend this advanced training during winter break. We learned how to be better leaders, but the team building exercises is what really made the difference. I learned a lot about myself and my shipmates when we all needed to pull together to get the job done. The females attending POLA and Recruit Training berthed together so I was able to practice my leadership skills with these new cadets and get an idea what being on staff for Recruit Training would be like. The POLA instructors were great and I would recommend all cadets attend this training as soon as possible. SA Travalik, USNSCC
25 October 2008 Good Morning! This is CC Andrew Villarreal (formerly Seaman Apprentice Villarreal), how is the division?? I will be making a stop back at home on Nov. 7th through the 10th, and hope to come and see/ speak with the division. Things are good over here; just hard academically but nothing we can't handle. They set us up for success over here. Boot camp was actually very rewarding but about ten times harder than Recruit Training for the Sea Cadets. As you may know, there is much animosity for the Navy down here but it's all for fun and to keep an old tradition that dates back about two hundred years between West Point and Annapolis. I hope all is well back in Illinois and that the division keeps flourishing and adding in numbers. I hope to come in and see everybody soon!! I would like to hear from everyone and if you have any questions about school here I would love to answer them. My mailing address is below. Very Respectfully, CC Andrew Villarreal 1205 Abbey Ave. Box # 223 Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703
31 August 2008 NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academy, 6JUL08- 12JUL08, Norfolk, VA POLA is a fun training. During the week, we learned how to be a better leader and how to care for subordinates. There was a lot of classroom time which really wasn't that bad. We had some really cool Officers teaching us. We didn't really PT a lot but we got to run around the base which is very big. We had some cool field trips while we were there and one of them was to tour the USS Roosevelt which is an aircraft carrier. That was probably the biggest thing I've ever been on. We rode several times in an army truck. It was fun but it got really hot and stinky fast. At the end of the training they took us to the Golden Coral Buffet which was so good. I made a lot of new friends while at POLA. I would recommend this training in a heart beat. PO3 Lange,USNSCC
13 August 2008 NSCC Recruit Training, RTC Great Lakes, IL, 14-22 June 2008 I decided to attend at RTC Great Lakes from 14 June 08 to 22 June 08. I took the time at Great Lakes with great pleasure. My brain absorbed so much information; it was like my mind was a sponge. During the time at Great Lakes I learned how to work as a team, was able to hold a military rifle, see naval recruits turn into real navy, eat fantastic meals, and earn life long friends, I can’t wait to visit Great Lakes again. SR Alexander Warf, USNSCC
11 August 2008 Operations Specialist, 13JUL - 26 JUL 08, Naval Station Great Lakes, IL As a Division Officer for the OS-IL training, I observed first-hand with complete amazement the dedication and enthusiasm of the Navy "A" school families. The active duty command, instructors, administrators, and students absolutely welcomed the Sea Cadets into the Navy family and worked hard to make this and the other concurrent trainings top-notch, relevant, and focused. Bravo Zulu to QM1 Sloan, for his dedication to planning and delivering the curriculum for this first ever Operations Specialist training. Our OS training boasted 23 Sea Cadets from all over the country: California, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and Michigan, just to name a few. We used computer based training, flash cards, and hands-on activities to learn about navigational plotting, semaphore, flag signaling, Morse code, and radar detection. Our daily PT consisted of one to four mile runs, intense calisthenics, and strengthening exercises. We competed against the other trainings for the Commander's Cup and the chance to carry the winner's guidon. Bosuns – watch out! OS will rule next year! The most rewarding experience I had at the training was watching as the cadets demonstrated their leadership skills, enthusiasm, and their love for the Sea Cadet program. A few of them surprised me with their inner strength, resolve, and military bearing during the most challenging times. Last but not least, surprises have a way of making the trainings even more special. The Sea Cadets received a special treat from the USO: Gary Sinise and the LT Dan Band performed at Ross Field for all the sailors and their families. Everyone had a fantastic time dancing and singing at the concert with our fellow shipmates! For pictures of this and other trainings, please visit: http://www.seacadetsmidwest.info/ LTJG Catherine Cabe, USNSCC
1 August 2008 PAO/JAG/POLA Training 6 JUL 08 – 12 JUL 08, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida I’ve often wondered how NSCC officers get by on little or no sleep at advance trainings … this time I found out personally! The key ingredient is fun. I had a blast working with my cadets and their supervisors in the Public Affairs Office of the 920th Rescue Wing, which saves downed combat fliers and trains to rescue nearby space shuttle launches, and the Judge Advocate General’s office of the 45th Space Wing, which launches satellites off Cape Canaveral. Watching flight ops firsthand (our quarters were right next to the NASA hanger) and teaching naval history at the POLA Academy to 34 cadets made for a busy week. The best part was the pride in seeing how the Sea Cadets impressed the Air Force all week long. We were covered twice in the base newspaper, The Missileer. Great chow, great R&R (the base is on the Atlantic Ocean) and a chance to learn the law and cover the news. It truly was the “Adventure of a Lifetime.” ENS Jim McClure, USNSCC
1 August 2008 NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academy, 6JUL08-12JUL08, Norfolk, VA Opposed to contrary belief POLA is actually a great training. I learned how to be a more effective leader and how to provide the best environment for my subordinates. Since POLA is a lot of classroom time (which isn't as bad as everyone says it is) you spend a lot of time meeting new people and talking to them. At this training I met a lot of new friends and regenerated old friendships. Since we were at a Naval Base we got to tour the base on a PT run and we also got to go aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Roosevelt CVN-71. This was a great training that I learned a lot from and I made a lot of new friends. P03 Joseph Mayer, USNSCC
8 July 2008 NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academy, 21JUN08-29JUN08 , Mt Pleasant, MI POLA was a good training! I got to learn a lot about leadership and how to become a more effective leader. I learned about how to staff trainings, deal with people’s problems, and public speaking. Most of the activities we did were hands on and everything we did involved team work. For a field trip we went to a camp called Camp Rotery which was a boy scout camp, but we played a lot of activities which involved teamwork. Over all it was a really good training. PO3 Richard Koehnke, USNSCC
5 July 2008 NSCC Recruit Training, RTC Great Lakes, IL, 14-22 June 2008 My experience at the Naval Sea Cadet Boot Camp was an amazing experience. I learned how to work better in a group instead of working alone. I worked in the leadership position as Recruit Chief Petty Officer, RPOC, which is first in charge other than the Staff Cadets and Officers. It took me a while to get used to carrying the Cutlass, but I began to use it better and better every passing day. Those nine days made me want to staff next years' boot camp if possible. SA Caitlyn Brookins, USNSCC
3 July 2008 Master at Arms (MAA), 21JUN08-29JUN08, Mt. Pleasant, MI By far this has been the best training that I have been on while being a Sea Cadet. My shipmates and I where trained by local law enforcement and firefighters. We were taught what school liaison officers do in their day to day activities. We also got a K-9 demonstration from the sheriff of Isabella county. The class got to tour the county jail and their dispatch center. A detective came in and showed us how to interrogate someone and we got to dust for finger prints with the evidence technicians. On the last day of schooling we got to shoot pistols and learned how to operate a weapon the way the police do it. I also learned a lot of teamwork because we had to work in teams to try and decipher what we thought a movie clip meant to us. Both the police and Sea Cadet staff did a great job and I would recommend this training to anyone who is interested in police work. SN Joseph Mayer, USNSCC
25 June 2008 NSCC Recruit Training, RTC Great Lakes, IL, 14-22 June 2008 I attended RTC Great Lakes 14 June 08 to 22 June 08. I enjoyed working with new shipmates and made friends from all over the country. I learned a lot, especially to listen to the message, not the delivery, and not take it too personal. SA Brookins and I were in division 001 with 34 other girls who achieved honor division because we helped each other and worked well together. We had training in firefighting, marksmanship, marlinspike, and we all certified as class 3 or 2 swimmers. The Staff POs from the Aurora division were the best cadet leaders at RTC Great Lakes and my goal is to do it again someday also as a Staff PO. SA Katherine Travalik, USNSCC
24 June 2008 NSCC Recruit Training, RTC Great Lakes, IL, 14-22 June 2008 For the days of 11 JUN 08 to 22 JUN 08, I staffed RTC-IL, or boot camp. What a training that was. I arrived on the 11th expecting to push a division, but there was a need for a staff cadet in the medical department. Approached with the position, I gladly stepped forward to fill the spot. I must say, it was a great choice! I learned so much about medical and about how to interact with people who are somewhat distressed that I couldn’t be happier with my choice. If anyone is thinking about staffing the medical department, it is a job worth taking. Granted there were some sacrifices that had to be made, namely our sleep, it is a position worth applying for! PO1 Dale Jackman, USNSCC
30 March 2008 On March 24,2008 to March 28,2008, I helped at the Navy Recruiting Center in Aurora. The first day I was there I got to meet all the recruiters there. They taught me how to use their copy machine and where everything was in the office. On the second day I started to work. I made copies of so many things. I got to meet some of the people that were joining the Navy. They were enrolled in a new program called DEP. I got to go up to MEPs which was a long boring drive. The petty officers there told me about their boot camp experiences and what they do in the Navy. For the rest of the time at the Recruiting center I got to go out with NC1 and recruit people. It was very shocking to see how so many people don't know what the Navy is! Recruiting duty seems like a fun but difficult job. It is very rewarding to see so many people join. SN David Lange, USNSCC
13 March 2008 Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA), 26DEC07-1JAN08, Camp Dodge, IA POLA was a great experience. I learned how to compromise, counsel, and lead large groups of people. I enjoyed the fun games we did. There were numerous activities such as building a structure out of newspaper to hold a jug of water and linking our hands in a jumble so that we'd untangle ourselves into a circle ... ALL BLINDFOLDED and/or with NO TALKING. It was the most ridiculous thing at the time to me, but then I realized that it taught me how to communicate and work together with my shipmates. We watched good movies such as the Caine Mutiny and Shooter basically every night before taps (bedtime). The marching was tedious, long, and sometimes frustrating, but once I got the hang of it, I was so proud of myself. On New Year's, my friends and I went out into the snow, had a snowball fight, and made snow angels. Although I was far from home for the holidays, I still felt safe and happy with my friends. The training gave me a sense of accomplishment during graduation. I made two great friends who ended up living only 2 hours from me. Sea Cadets has given me the chance to make so many new friends and learn so many new things. POLA is one of my favorite trainings, but this summer I'm going to Basic Airman, which seems even better! SN Stephanie Cabe-Brookins, USNSCC
6 January 2008 Advanced Airman , NAS Lemoore, 17-30 June 2007 This was my second time attending at NAS Lemoore, California. We stayed at BEQ or Bachelor's Quarters which is similar to a dorm or mini hotel. Every morning we woke-up and had to be down stairs at 5:45 to get an early breakfast and catch the bus out to the hangers. Once again we were working with VFA-122 the "Flying Eagles". Most people there we very cooperative with the Sea Cadets. Basic Airman rotated shops within the hanger, but Advanced was out on the flight line with the Hornets the entire time. I learned how to launch and recover F/A-18 jets. A launch is to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the pilot is safe. If you've ever watched one it looks kinda like a dance. Upon arrival we were given a PQS to complete. It consisted of the requirements to become a Plane Captain. Some things were diving into intakes, moving the jet, refueling, and knowing all the information about the jet. By the end of the 2 weeks all advanced cadets took the Plane Captain test, but not all passed. Fortunately, I passed with a 96%. I made so many friends at this training! I talk to most of them on a normal basis. Every night we had a few hours of down time to talk to people from home, study, or hang out with friends. We attended a baseball game, went to Adventure Park, and had a Barbeque, and went shopping. Although this training was very relaxed, I learned a lot and it was very challenging. PO1 Amanda Glass, USNSCC
6 January 2008 FAA Ground School, Marietta, Georgia, 8-20 July 2007 Ground School is the most mentally challenging thing that I have ever done! It is two full weeks of studying the Private Pilot book from cover to cover. There was usually 10-12 hours of class per day, but we did have 2 days off. The people there were amazing, especially the officers! They helped the time pass more quickly. While we were there we went to the airport so people had the chance to fly. For most it was their first time. We also took a tour of Delta Airline's headquarters. I wasn't very interested in that but mostly everyone enjoyed it. Towards the end of the training the officers set up simulator time for us. The simulator was of a Super Hornet. The cool part was you could put yourself in any major airport from anywhere in the world. Now I am ready to take my Private Pilot Exam so I can earn my license and gold wings. PO1 Amanda Glass, USNSCC
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Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2008 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2007 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2006 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2005 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2004 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2003 (MS Word Document)
Click Here to see Ship's Log for 2002 (MS Word Document)
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