1st Company Commander: 1/C Jessica Hinds
Read below for an update from the Company Commander daily and scroll down for photos.
Day One –
To the Friends and Family of 1st Company,
I would first like to begin by introducing myself. I am 1/C Jessica Hinds and I am the 1st Company Commander for the 2023-2024 academic year. I am currently entering my senior year as a Marine Transportation major, and words can not describe how excited I am to lead your Cadet Candidates. While attending this Academy, I have had countless opportunities that have shaped me not only into the student and young mariner I am today, but also a leader. I have the utmost confidence in my staff of Executive Officer, Training and Retention Officer, 03 Platoon Leader, and eight Squad Leaders under my command will transform your cadet candidates into young professionals not only after these ten days, but the whole school year.
Day 1 mostly consisted of what is known as pool day, which is when cold water survival is completed. This is mainly for our license major cadets which are Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering, as this training is an STCW requirement for sea term and eventually their Coast Guard Licenses. Tasks include treading water, practicing huddling in a group as an attempt to retain heat in cold water, entering a life raft in the water, flipping an upside down life raft, and other small assessments. All Cadet Candidates must complete these assessments, and it also serves as a time to build friendships with their new fellow shipmates. After pool day, we played 3rd Company in ultimate frisbee which was a great game to watch. Although we did not bring home a win for 1st Company, the cadet candidates had a great time bonding with their shipmates and getting hyped up. To finish off the day, the Cadet Candidates attended a firefighting lecture, which is also an STCW requirement for license majors. They will be traveling to the Mass Fire Academy in Bridgewater, MA tomorrow to complete their basic firefighting training. Although only one day has passed, I have seen enormous amounts of improvement amongst the Cadet Candidates in 1st Company. There is still room for growth, but we as a staff are looking forward to training them to become the best Cadets they can be.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Two –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
We started our day here on Taylor’s Point bright and early to take the physical fitness test. This test is comprised of a timed 1 mile run, and a two minute intervals to complete as many pushups and situps as possible. The scores reported were impressive, with one Cadet Candidate reporting 120 pushups. The first two Cadet Candidates to finish the 1 mile run were also from 1st Company. My Squad Leaders worked hard to instill morale and camaraderie amongst the C/Cs, by cheering on their shipmates completing the test and pushing each other to their limits.
Shortly after, the C/Cs were transported by bus to the Mass Fire Academy in Bridgewater for basic firefighting training. This is an STCW requirement for license majors, but all participate. The Cadet Candidates review the classes of fire, learn how to use a fire extinguisher, try on SCBAs, and do various exercises with fire hoses. This was a huge success, and the C/Cs enjoyed their time at the fire academy. Even if this knowledge is not needed for each major, it is still very good information to know that could help save their lives in the future.
Once returning to campus, the company immediately moved into the intramurals game of water polo against 7th Company. We have won 3 out of 4 games, and it was amazing to see the Company come together. There was a point where our goalie had made a mistake of dropping the ball right in front of the net and 7th Co had taken possession. The goalie was out of the net, and the other team took a shot, but another player on our team stepped into the goal at the perfect time to block the shot. The Company went crazy, and the two players gave each other the biggest hug, as well as the rest of the team coming over and hyping each other up. This Company has begun to bond, and I can promise you they will return home with friendships that will last a lifetime.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Three –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
Because we have spent the last two days completing STCW requirements, today was the first day my staff finally got to spend a lot of time with the C/Cs. The morning was taken up by various academic meetings, as well as drill time. The platoon also spent a large amount of time practicing drill. The biggest goal today was practicing columns. Columns are used when the platoon needs to make a turn. We have gotten so much better at marching, and I am confident we will do well in the marching competition later on in the week. The late morning was spent in the gym sorting out any uniform issues. During down time, they quizzed each other on their youngie knowledge by sitting back to back, using flashcards, and just quizzing each other. Promoting collaboration has been a large priority in my staff. Although we are here to teach, it is at times more productive and efficient when helping your shipmates. This skill will carry on into their future at MMA, as well as in their careers.
We played 4th Company in dodgeball this afternoon, and I am disappointed to report that we did lose. It was a VERY close game, with 1st Co winning two out of five games. The C/Cs started off strong in the first game, by beating our opponent in less than five minutes. I believe we got tired and complacent. However I am hopeful that tomorrow we will beat 2nd Company in water polo. The youngies finished the night with a health services meeting and one with career services. These two departments are crucial for the success of our campus. The youngies were able to meet the faculty who are in these departments and further their knowledge of all the resources we have on campus.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Four –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
We started our morning with PT on the football field, which consisted of field exercises today. This was the second day in a row we were the first company on the PT field. It is quite an accomplishment considering we are one of the farthest companies from the football field. 1st and 2nd Battalion alternate each day between a run around campus and various calisthenic exercises on the field. The youngies got super into the field exercises. When completing the situp portion, the C/Cs were instructed to interlock legs with the person next to them and complete the situps together. All partners did the sit ups together, and at the top would give each other high fives or words of encouragement. The morning consisted of drill and youngie knowledge studying, before moving into open lifeboat practice and intramurals in the afternoon.
Throughout orientation the Cadet Candidates are given multiple opportunities to lead their shipmates. We introduced the Cadet Candidate Platoon Leader position yesterday (CCPL). Each day the 1st Company Cadre will choose a youngie who goes above and beyond. The CCPL will then be given a window of time to speak with their shipmates and lead their platoon in a guided discussion on how to be better and motivate each other. The CCPL is given a colored pinnie to tie on their youngie pack to signify their achievement. Yesterday our first CCPL was awarded to C/C L. Lee. Ms. Lee has gone above and beyond her shipmates by excelling in youngie knowledge. She continues to uphold herself to the highest standards and that has stuck out to us. Congratulations Ms. Lee! Our CCPL for today was C/C Hill. Mr. Hill continues to better himself every day, and never loses motivation. He brings a high level of morale to the Company, and puts his shipmates before himself. Congratulations Mr. Hill!
A final position awarded to a Cadet Candidate is the guidon bearer position. Each Company possesses a guidon flag which is used in the Company wedge during formation and ceremonies. This position is given to a Cadet Candidate who has proved responsibility, pride, and ability to set an example for others. The Cadet Candidate who is awarded this position will be the permanent guidon bearer for the entire school year. The guidon bearer selected for 1st Company is C/C Scigliano. Mr. Scigliano has proved to the Cadre his desire to be at this Academy and the amount of pride he has for 1st Company. He is the loudest youngie and goes above and beyond to be the best version of himself. Congratulations Mr. Scigliano!
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Five –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
This morning started with a mile and a half cadence run around campus. Our squad leaders have worked hard to learn various cadences to sing in an attempt to motivate the platoon. We got loud and it helped those who struggled to keep up. At one point one youngie was falling behind, and another fell back to run with them. They ran together and the youngie never left their side. When the run was completed, the two shipmates thanked each other for holding each other accountable.
The weather at the Academy today was not great, so most of our day was spent inside. The Cadet Candidates took this time to start prepping their rooms for inspections. Each morning during the school year the Cadet Candidates will have their room inspections. There is a long list of detailed standards that each room must be kept up to. My Squad Leaders did a phenomenal job of going around and guiding each room in the right direction of completing the room. Later on in the week, the Regimental Staff will inspect the Cadet Candidates room, and I am confident they will be successful.
Today was the Company’s off day for intramurals, so the Student Government Association president created an online trivia game for the Youngies about Mass Maritime facts. They were divided into teams, which boosted team building and Company bonding. Patio occurs before every lunch and dinner, and is when each Company is quizzed on their youngie knowledge. Because of the weather, dinner patio was secured. The senior staff and I set up a mock patio to quiz them on their knowledge, and they nailed it. I was impressed to say the least, as patio has been our weakness so far in orientation.
The Company is slowly becoming more unified, and it has been encouraging to watch each of the Youngies bond with their shipmates who they did not know five days ago. When they return home in just five short days, I can guarantee they will return home a better person with a sense of pride for being at this Academy.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Six –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
Our morning started by being the first company on the football field for PT. We were so excited for this, and glad it has become a trend in our mornings. We completed the calisthenic exercises this morning, and I am pleased to say that members of the Commandant of Cadets, who are some of our highest ranking officers on campus, complimented 1st Company for our volume and sense of morale.
Until lunch my squad leaders focused on practicing marching with the Cadet Candidates and studying their youngie knowledge. They are about 75% completed with learning youngie knowledge, which they will be tested on at the end of orientation. This knowledge consists of the names of the regimental staff, various leadership traits, quotes, the steam cycle, shipboard emergency signals, and more. Today the youngies really focused on the emergency signals and the 41 parts of a lifeboat. Patio went perfect today, and this really motivated the Cadet Candidates to be better.
The afternoon consisted of meetings with regimental staff about the honor code and a breakout session by academic majors. This meeting was a good opportunity for the Cadet Candidates to meet others in their major, as well as learn more details about the degree they will begin to pursue in just a week or so. These meetings were then followed by all freshmen being brought to the bleachers to watch our football team scrimmage against Dean College. 1st Co began to cheer on the team with a distinct chant, and eventually all other companies joined in.
Yesterday, our CCPL was C/C Sandoz. Mr. Sandoz has excelled in all aspects of orientation, and also holds his shipmates to high standards. When asked at patio, Mr. Sandoz explained to Mr. Francavilla, the Regimental Commander, that he wants to see this company succeed, and we want the Admiral’s Cup. Today, our CCPL named was Mr. McEvoy. Mr. McEvoy has made a large amount of improvement in everything he has been taught. He is a quick learner, and adapts to any challenge that has been presented to him. Congratulations to both Youngies! In the evenings, a privilege of the CCPL is to be able
to sit with senior staff for dinner. It has been a pleasure to get to know each CCPL, and learn about who they are beyond just a Cadet Candidate. Each of these Cadet Candidates have impressed me with their desire to be here and their dedication to leading their shipmates in becoming better versions of themselves.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Seven –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
The senior staff took over for almost the entire day. There was no PT this morning, and instead we used this as a personal reflection time. We offered any Youngies who would like to take the time to practice religion to be taken to the new Cuffe Center located in the Fantail. For those who did not prefer this, we did a reflection exercise with them. We had all of the Youngies write a letter. In this letter we asked them to write their name, where they are from, their major and goals they want to accomplish with this degree, a struggle they may be facing during orientation that they are comfortable sharing, and words of encouragement for a shipmate. After all of these letters were handed in, we then shuffled them all and passed them back at random. When coming up with this idea, we had the intention of allowing their shipmates to get to know someone in their company they may have had limited conversations with or may not know at all. It was also to be used as a motivation strategy so if one of them is facing a struggle, they may realize they are not alone.
The entire morning and most of the afternoon was taken up by a day at Great Herring Pond in Plymouth. The Youngies were divided into three groups and rotated in stations. One station was with the Maritime Bucs crew coach, where they used a rowing barge to practice rowing. The second station was with upper class cadets in the Monomoy boats. These are old open lifeboats that are now used for training. For license majors, they will have to complete a lifeboatman assessment in the future, and one portion of this is being proficient in the proper commands and being able to steer the boat. Having to row these boats requires a lot of teamwork and communication, and I can tell you from experience it is not easy. The Cadet Candidates did end up doing a good job with this however, and I was impressed. The final station was using the small sailboats that are owned by our sailing team. The Cadet Candidates were put in partners and got to sail around the pond, which they had a blast doing. We had quite a few youngies that the crew coach and sailing coach were looking to recruit.
We returned back to Taylor’s Point and immediately went into intramurals. I am proud to say that we clean swept 5th Company in dodgeball. We won three games in a row, and did so well that we took only a half hour of a two hour intramurals block to complete this game. To kill time, we then played a cadre game, where the 1st Co staff played against the 5th Co staff. Although we did not win in this cadre match, the companies were getting so loud and excited even though we weren’t directly hyping them up. They were chanting and singing cadences and just overall happy to be there. It was incredible to see how invested they were in watching my staff and I play this game. I can see the sense of pride of being in 1st Company growing. This will only get stronger throughout the semester
Very Respectfully,
Jessica Hinds
1st Company Commander
Day Eight –
Family and Friends of 1st Company,
We are nearing the end of orientation, and the youngies are so excited to come home. Our CCPL from yesterday, Mr. Penney, told the senior staff and myself at dinner that the first thing he is going to do is eat a greasy cheeseburger when he returns home. I figured the first thing many would want to do is take a nap or take a long shower, but eating a good meal seems to be a common answer. Be ready parents.
We had our second PT test this morning, which was the exact same as the first time. The Cadet Candidates are given two chances to pass this test, and also improve their scores. We once again came in with the fastest mile time of 1st Battalion. Our push up and sit ups scores were also impressive, and the majority of the youngies improved their scores from the first test. We then went straight to breakfast before starting our day with drill and knowledge study. We spent most of the day practicing drill for the upcoming marching competition. We have practiced a variety of movements and special tricks. All are definitely improving, but we still need to work on it.
1st Company did a phenomenal job on both lunch and dinner patio today. They all knew their youngie knowledge, and even got a compliment from Mr. Francavilla for their performance. 1st Company has definitely come a long way in patio, and have built confidence in themselves that they know the knowledge they have been working so hard to study. The night concluded with a meeting with the military branches and their involvement with Mass Maritime, then one about student financial services. At this point in orientation the youngies are tired, but I am pleased with their improvement and overall performance. They have definitely grown since coming off the bleachers only a week and a half ago.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Jessica Hinds
1sy Company Commander