THE CNMI’s first batch of U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps will graduate this Friday, July 15, at the Susupe Canoe House after completing nine days of training.
The Natibu Division, established only this year, comprises 20 Sea Cadets in the senior program for young recruits 13 to 18 years old, and five Navy League Cadets in the junior program for children 10 to 13 years old.
The 2022 recruit training graduation ceremony will start at 10 a.m., Friday, July 15 next to Guma Higai, the canoe house at the Civic Center in Susupe.
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Bacher, the leader of the program’s adult officers and volunteers, said their goal is to teach seamanship and the values of patriotism and self-reliance.
The nine-day training that began on July 7 is step one of orienting the youth into the Sea Cadets, which, according to its website, seacadets.org, is “a maritime based youth program sponsored by the U.S. Navy and supported by the U.S. Coast Guard.”
The Sea Cadets activities include physical training, drill practice, firefighting, damage control, snorkeling, beach cleanup and marching.
Marching with them to Mount Tapochao on Wednesday were Captain Bacher, training contingent commanding officer Lt. Cmdr. Jared Moravec and Petty Officer Tuyet Lam Thai.
In a statement, Moravec, who has been with the Sea Cadets program since 2017, said he felt very fortunate to have been selected by the national headquarters to assist the Natibu Division with their very first training program.
“We have been working diligently to ensure an excellent and safe training experience this summer. Our collective goal is to give cadets all of the tools necessary for success. It will be up to them to take advantage of them and put forth the effort to succeed,” he said.
The Natibu Division commanding officer is Raymond Alvarez, while the executive officer is Regino Celis.
Under the command of Petty Officer Tuyet Lam Thai, the NMI’s Sea Cadets and Navy League Cadets march to Mount Tapochao on Wednesday as part of their training.
