GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Lt. Cmdr. Jared Moravec and master navigators Cecilio Raiukiulipiy, Tony Piailug and John Castro honored the graduates of the CNMI’s first U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps recruit training program.
Those who completed the nine-day training are Naval Sea Cadet Corps Cadets Christian James Ada, Frances Borja, Wei Le Chen, Colton Jay Cruz, Conrad Cruz, Alexander Fu, Tristan Patrick Manglona, Darlincia Carina Masga, Heaven Murphy, Leanalyn Santos Reyes, Marvin Reyes, Keanu Silva, Alfonso Taitano Jr., Nathan Taitano, Travis Taitano, Dreyvan Villagomez, Mary Wang, Angela Xu, Tony Xu and Kenshiro Yanai.
Also completing the training were Navy League Cadet Corps Cadets Gregory Camacho, Hedy Fu, Daniel Malus, Michael Joe Pangelinan and David Xing.
The cadets comprise the Natibu Division, the first batch of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps in the CNMI.
The governor congratulated the cadets, saying they are learning the importance of having a strong character, integrity and self-pride
“Those are the things that we strive for, and what we want for the next generation,” he added.
When the USNCC and the volunteers came to him, “I said, you got my support and I look forward to a strong program and I am part of your journey with our sea cadets.”
Moravec said the mission of Sea Cadet Corps is to teach cadets the highest ideals of honor, respect, commitment, and service.
Addressing the sea cadets, he said, “I am proud of each and every one of you for what you have accomplished during the recruit training. So don’t forget to work hard. Remember the sea cadet values and be sure to take care of yourselves. You came here as recruits, you leave here as Sea Cadets. Don’t be afraid to dream big and make your dreams a reality.”
On behalf of the USNCC headquarters, Moravec thanked the governor for his very warm hospitality which they also received from everyone they’ve had the pleasure of interacting with during their stay on island.
He said through the hard work of Commanding Officer Raymond Alvarez, Capt. Michael Bacher and other dedicated sea cadet volunteers, the CNMI now has a sea cadets unit that the Commonwealth can be proud of.
Moravec said he was very impressed with the caliber of the young cadets.
Moravec also thanked 17-year-old Petty Officer First Class Tuyet-Lam Thai for “interacting with the cadets, from sun up to sun down.”
Thai taught the cadets how to march, and how to have military bearing.
Moravec said they were really impressed to watch Thai in action.
The governor’s chief of staff, Wil Castro, who was himself a sea cadet, said the first thing he learned was discipline.
The training, he added, also taught the cadets humility and the ability to persevere.
The world, he said, will pose great challenges to the cadets.
“If you can’t even stand…in the hot sun…with proper decorum, how are you going to be a leader in the most trying circumstances like this governor has with Covid?” he said, referring to Governor Torres.
Castro said the sea cadet training is the foundation of leadership, discipline, and character.
Sea Cadet Angela Xu said she liked the training. “I am pretty sure I lost weight, and that is good also.”
It was amazing, she added. “We boarded one of those big ships in the lagoon.”
Although she doesn’t plan to join the Navy, “I think this program really helped me learn how to be a better person and survive nine days without my phone.”
Captain Bacher said the inaugural Natibu Division recruit training program could not have been possible without the dedication of the following “unsung heroes”: the cadets’ parents, USNCC Headquarters, officers and adult volunteers, private sector sponsors — Himawari, Tan Holdings, PDM Postal, Mango, Windjammers International Inc., and Universal Products — the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, the fire department, the USNS Red Cloud, the Canoe Federation, the master navigators and local historian Don Farrell for providing a detailed and pertinent history tour of Saipan.
The Natibu Division cadets stand at ease as Petty Officer First Class Tuyet-Lam Thai, right, looks on during the cadets’ recruit training graduation ceremony at the Guma Higai, Civic Center in Susupe on Friday.
Sea Cadet Keanu Silva, left, salutes U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Lt. Cmdr. Jared Moravec before Gov. Ralph DLG Torres hands a certificate to Silva.
Lan Yua Xu, right, puts a lei on her daughter, Sea Cadet Angela (Liam) Xu.
Trinidad Pangelinan, right, puts a lei on his son, Navy League Cadet Michael Joe Pangelinan.
