8/17 Pre-O Day 5 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy Orientation 2023

Our last full day here at Pre-Orientation, and what a day it’s been! The Cadre had another great day of PT this morning, pushing themselves even harder to be better than they were the day before. After breakfast, the Companies split for the morning to spent the time practicing drill, cadences, and discussing leadership styles with their teams. Then, we met to go over the newest and best uniform items the Cadet Candidates will be receiving this year. The Cadre were all impressed with the quality and usefulness of the new items- the freshmen are in for a treat! After discussing and then finalizing the procedures for inspections with these uniform items, we had an early lunch so the Cadre could get back to change and prepare for the afternoon.

Our Battalions, fully dressed in boiler suits and boots loaded onto the school buses to be transported to Join Base Cape Cod. We had prepared a full ropes/team-building activity course that the Cadre had been looking forward to all week. They were split up into groups of 7 and given instructions on how to complete different courses, but each team had to figure out their unique strengths to work together to complete their goal. Despite the rain, everyone had an incredible time, and these Cadre were able to work together seamlessly as teams, even when paired with cadets from outside their companies. They communicated extremely professionally and efficiently to come up with creative solutions to complete these courses. While this was an important activity to solidify the group’s bonds, it was also fun for everyone! Even as cadets fell into the murky waters or fell off beams, they all had smiles on their faces. It was a great way to finish off this Pre-O program with.

Everyone changed out of their (slightly wet) boiler suits for a cookout dinner and for a Battalion vs Battalion game of kickball. Both Battalions brought their A-game and there were some absolutely fantastic plays out there. 2nd Battalion ultimately won, and had a raucous celebration on the field.

Even though they were done for the night, the Company’s split to get in even more marching practice before the sun went down, and then gathered inside for Company Commander time. Each Company discussed what went well today, but more importantly, what they were looking to improve for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is our last day of Pre-O before we return on Saturday to prepare for the Cadet Candidates arrival. We’ll be practicing everything for Sunday- rehearsing the Cadre Oath, C/C processing, and all other final preparations in the dorms. Every single person here has been giving their all this week, and they couldn’t be any more prepared for the weeks ahead of them.

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