3rd Company Commander: 1/C Sophie Strano
Read below for an update from the Company Commander daily and scroll down for photos.
Day One –
My name is 1/C Sophie Strano and I am the 3rd Company Commander for the 2023-24 academic year. I am from Sandwich, MA and I am a Marine Transportation major.
Today was the Cadet Candidates first full day here at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The Youngies started their day by meeting their Company Staff during Meet the Cadre on the football field.
After breakfast, 3rd Company Cadet Candidates headed to the gym for uniform fittings and then attended some Academic presentations in Admirals Hall. Any down time that they have during the day has been devoted to learning the key knowledge they need to know in order to be successful at the Academy.
Following lunch, the Cadet Candidates participated in intramurals and led 3rd Company to their first win against 1st Company during their Ultimate Frisbee game. Winning an intramurals game means more points towards winning Admirals Cup at the end of Orientation!
The Cadet Candidates attended an STCW Fire Fighting Lecture tonight. This lecture prepares the Cadet Candidates for the hands on Fire Fighting training they will be receiving in the days to come.
It is the first full day and I can already see the hard work and determination the Cadet Candidates are demonstrating. They are learning to work as a team, spout with pride, and endure and overcome challenges. I am looking forward to seeing 3rd Company grow over the next 9 days.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Two –
Its Day 2 for the Cadet Candidates and it started off with a motivating PT test on the football field. 3rd Company did a great job supporting each other during the pushups, sit-ups, and the mile run.
Following breakfast, 3rd company attended uniform fittings in the gym, an academic planning session, and took their school pictures for their ID Keycard. 3rd Company CRUSHED 4th Company in Ultimate Frisbee today. Another win for 3rd Co!
In the evening, the Cadet Candidates attended a Title IX and Diversity 101 presentation in Admirals Hall. They were sent to bed at 2200 following Taps. Right now, the Cadet Candidates are experiencing the hardest part of this program. They are learning to work as a team and not an individual. It takes discipline, integrity, and loyalty to be successful here at the Academy and each Cadet Candidate has already demonstrated these qualities. The hard work they are going to have to put in is just getting started, but I am confident to say that each and every Cadet Candidate will find themselves stronger than ever on Orientation Graduation day.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Three –
It is a beautiful day on campus! The Cadet Candidates started their morning at 0530 for an early morning PT session. 1st Battalion did a 1 mile cadence run around the campus and got to enjoy the sunrise peaking up over the Cape Cod Canal. 3rd Company Squad Leaders had the Cadet Candidates spouting loud and proud during the run. The team spirit was at an all time high this morning and it was motivating!
This morning, the Cadet Candidates had a couple hours dedicated towards drill. 3rd Company Squad Leaders broke the platoon up into smaller groups and taught the Cadet Candidates how to do drill moves step by step. They practiced their column lefts/rights, and learned “to the rear”. I was very impressed with their progress. I spent some time marching the platoon to prepare for the Marching Competition next week.
The Cadet Candidates had a fun afternoon. They attended Sea Lab, where they learned how to row the Monomoy boats. This activity is extremely beneficial for our licensed Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation Cadet Candidates. The C/Cs were able to relax a bit and get to know each other. Following Sea Lab was intramurals. 3rd Co unfortunately lost to 2nd Co in water polo.
Our First CCLP (Cadet Candidate Platoon Leader) was chosen today. Every day, a Cadet Candidate who has demonstrated grit, respect, dedication, and tenacity is elected by the 3rd Company Squad Leaders. The CCPL was C/C Monteiro. Well Done!
Very Respectfully,
1/C Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Four –
Today the Cadet Candidates participated in a motivating PT session on the football field. After breakfast, the Cadet Candidates went to firefighting training in Bridgewater where they learned fire suppression tactics and the various equipment used for it. They went through several evolutions of fire training and learned to work together as a team. It was beneficial for the Cadet Candidates to get off of campus for a bit. When the Cadet Candidates returned to campus, they participated in a dodgeball game against 4th company and unfortunately lost 3-1. The night ended with an athletics presentation and a training and retention presentation.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Five –
After PT this morning, the Cadet Candidates headed to Great Herring Pond for Pond Day. The C/Cs spent the day at the Pond and learned how to sail, row, and row the Monomoys. Although it was raining for most of the day, the Cadet Candidates did not complain and enjoyed socializing and getting to know their shipmates. Once the Cadet Candidates got back to campus, it was time for them to lock it up and get back to the grind. They spent some time practicing a new marching move which was “by the right/left flank”. After a bit of practice the Cadet Candidates picked it up quickly. In the evening, the Cadet Candidates attended a Campus Safety briefing and a Shipboard Customs & Safety Management System briefing. The night ended with selecting the new 3rd Company Guidon. The new 3rd Company Guidon is C/C Landry. Congratulations!
Very Respectfully,
Sophie Strano
5th Company Commander
Day Six –
Today, the Cadet Candidates started their morning with PT on the football field. 1st Battalion completed the field exercises. All of the Cadet Candidates worked hard and cheered on their shipmates through the workout.
After breakfast, the Cadet Candidates spent a lot of time on learning drill movements. They are starting to work together and listen to drill commands. I spent some time outside with the Cadet Candidates practicing for the marching competition that is planned for Wednesday morning. After drill, the Cadet Candidates spent some time in the shade, reviewing their young knowledge for lunch patio.
After lunch, the Cadet Candidates attended a few presentations. They attended an academic breakout session and Honor Code presentation.
Following evening meal, the 3rd Co attended the football scrimmage. This was a good opportunity for 3rd co youngies to get to know each other and enjoy the football game.
Very Respectfully,
Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Seven –
This mornings wake up call was a bit different. Instead off attending morning PT on the football field, the Cadet Candidates spent the morning having some personal reflection time. If any Cadet Candidates needed a space to pray or tend to any religious needs, they were given the opportunity to do so.
Later in the day, the Cadet Candidates attended drill practice. They are currently learning “to the wind” which is a very elaborate drill move. The Cadet Candidates seemed excited and eager to learn. Some time was also dedicated to organizing their rooms and making their rooms inspection ready. This entails of prepping their uniforms, making their beds, and completing their Inspection wall locker and drawer. The 3rd Company Squad Leaders assisted the youngies as needed with their room prep.
3rd Company did not have a scheduled intramurals game today against another company. Instead, the company did team building exercises and had a kickball game.
The 3rd Company Cadet Candidates are one week into Orientation. The youngies are starting to display more self disciplined and integrity. Although they have made so much progress in the past week, the work is not done yet.
Very Respectfully,
Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander
Day Eight –
This morning was the final PT test of Orientation. 3rd Co worked hard this morning and the scores were much better than the first PT test scores. I can confidently say that all of the C/Cs felt stronger and more confident than they did at the beginning of orientation. 3rd Company Cadet Candidates supported and pushed their shipmates to improve their PT scores.
The Cadet Candidates attended Pool Day. At the pool, the Cadet Candidates had their STCW Cold Water Survival Training. They did hands on exercises such as flipping over a life raft, learning how to embark and disembark a life raft, and went over some basic swimming techniques, with and without a lifejacket.
After having lunch on the grass outside of the pool area, the Cadet Candidates finished up their training and then headed to intramurals. 3rd Company won an utimate frisbee game against 1st Company. Another win for 3rd! Following intramurals, the Cadet Candidates attended evening patio, dinner, and then attended a military recruiting presentation and a student financial service presentation in Admirals Hall. Taps was played at 2130 and the C/Cs sent to bed.
The Cadet Candidates are so close to the finish line of Orientation. In just 2 short days, these Cadet Candidates will be reunited with friends and family, feeling proud of what they have accomplished and how much they have grown over the past 10 days.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Sophie Strano
3rd Company Commander