NJROTC Program at MAST

For anyone who has ever seen the cadets in the NJROTC program at MAST, it is easy to see why they are among the best in the nation. For anyone who has spoken with any of these high school kids about any subject from history to current world situations, it’s easy to see why they are ranked in the top ten schools in the state. And for anyone who has ever been out to Sandy Hook on a windy, blustery  morning, you have an idea of how cold it is.

But today, instead of keeping my eyes on the cadets during their annual military inspection, a  major event of their school year, I observed the parents.

Not only parents. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and neighbors. Close to a thousand of them. They were all there, in place on Pershing Field long before the 8:05 am start of the cadet March onto Pershing Field.

Some were there as early as 6:30 am, wanting to be sure to get a parking spot, bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and get an up close seat for the first step of the day long inspection.  Some guests had never been to Sandy Hook at all  before, some had never been that far out on Sandy Hook and were amazed there is a former army base there and these kids go to school on a historic site.   Some were just proud parents there because they knew how hard these kids had practiced and how important this day was to them.

Since I’ve been to these events before, and since I know some of the cadets, I knew their inspection would go fine. I knew the inspecting officer Major Jason Duehring and other Marines on the inspection team would be blown away with everything they had to observe throughout the day. And I knew that Battalion Commander  c/LDR Tessa Campolattaro, that enthusiastic, smart, gentle, wonderful Rumson resident who takes such pride in her work and her position as the head of the Battalion Chain of Command at MAST, would not settle for anything less than perfect in her Command. I also knew she had reason for such confidence. I knew Deputy Battalion Commander c/Lt. Jimmy Treshock had standards just as high…these cadets don’t get these positions simply by being nice kids.  And I knew each of the other battalion officers, from the Command Senior Chief and heads of administration, operations, supply, training, drill, academics, athletics orienteering and community affairs through each of the four company’s officers were just as proud of their commands, their attention to detail and their desire to do the right thing. So I knew they would ace any inspection.

So it was the parents and friends I wanted to observe.

As they gathered, almost 1,000 in all, overflowing the bleachers and carrying their own chairs and blankets against the wind spinning off the ocean and onto the parade grounds of the historic site, they chatted, they laughed, they shivered, they swapped stories, they made new friends. They called to each other and laughed loud and happy. It was obvious they all wanted to be there.

Suddenly, the word passed. The cadets were coming. They had formed along MAST way two blocks away five minutes before, and now it was time for them to make their appearance.

They came in  at the start of the field behind the bleachers and crowds facing there the rest of the action would be taking place.

And a sudden hush fell over the crowd. Those in their lawn chairs and those in the bleachers stood up, turned around, and quietly, almost respectfully  and in a bit of awe, watched as some almost 300 young teenagers in crisp and perfect uniforms and shiny black shoes, marched to a drummer to begin their first inspections of the day.  There were cameras clicking, tears being wiped from proud eyes, and eager eyes searching for a particular cadet son or daughter. But there was absolute silence. Not a word was spoken as each adult captured his own vision of the young men and women who will be leading our country in a few years. This was a crowd in awe.

Once the line of march passed and entered onto the middle of the field, the crowd turned forward once again and watched as each company lined up, its commanders shouting out orders, probably some parents particularly of daughters surprised at the tone and level of their “officer voices.”

Then came the Official Party, the inspecting officers and Cdr. Tracie Smith-Yeoman, and the National Anthem was sung by a cadet corps. Every man removed his hat, every person stood at attention, veterans and relatives saluted or put their hands over their hearts. The National Anthem really means something to these people who were gathered here.

Major Duehring addressed the cadets briefly…the program only allowed five minutes for his presentation. But he took the time to tell these kids that he knew he had not seen any inspection yet, but already “what I’ve seen already “ was awesome, and that’s why a visit to MAST each year is “always the highlight of my day.”

Cdr. Smith-Yeoman spoke for her five minutes. She already knows how great her cadets are, but she wanted to take some time at first to recognize the Marines and Marine veterans in the audience…after all, today is the 247^th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps.  Then she wanted all the veterans in the audience to stand so they could be acknowledged, reminding everyone that Veterans Day, in two days, honors them as well. She thanked them all to the sound of great applause, and went into the crowd to shake the hands of those she could reach, and thank them once again for their service.  The retired Naval officer then thanked parents and praised them for the excellence they had given their children. She praised all units, but especially the freshman cadets for coming through Covid, changing schools, adjusting to NJROTC and being prepared totally for the most important inspection of the year two months after first arriving at MAST. She credited the upperclassmen for inspiring the freshmen with their own attention to the honor, courage and commitment that are such a part of MAST’s culture.  The crowd applauded for principal Earl Moore and his constant and consistent support of the NJROTC program at MAST which includes every student at the Monmouth County Vocational High School at MAST.

The crowd remained respectful, happy, and anxious to see their special cadet or cadets….some at MAST are siblings or cousins also students there …and watched in absolute awe as the drill team gave its dynamic demonstration of precision, dexterity, and weapon handling.

At the final Pass in Review, when each company  presented itself to the Inspection Team, cameras clicked, pride showed, tears were wiped, and parents and friend waved and acknowledged their special cadet, knowing they would get no response from a cadet intent on performing his duty.

When the program was over, precisely 55 minutes after it began, the cadets marched off field and down MAST Way, this time followed by friends and family who knew they would not have a chance to talk to their cadet, but wanting to watch them for the last possible minute before going to their cars and heading home.

The cadets went on to their other duties for the day, Supply Officer c/LTjg V Walker ready to have her Supply  station inspected, and shortly after, all cadets prepared for their personnel inspections three hours later.  They would not hear again from Major Duehring until the end of the day when they would get some idea of how they fared.

To the parents, it had already  shown.

Patriotism and pride in the United States is alive and well at MAST and with their families

All Photo’s Courtesy of Credit to Cadet Olivia Palutis