4th Company Commander: 1/C George Laing
Hello to all family, friends, and any else following along the class of 2028’s Orientation. My name is 1/C George Laing and I have the honor of being the 4th Company Commander. I am from Milton Ma and I am studying Marine Engineering here at here at MMA. I am beyond excited to share my knowledge and experiences with the incoming C/C’s. Over the next 10 days my staff of 4 Senior Officers alongside 8 Squad Leaders will be guiding the 4th Company C/C’s through Orientation as well as the school year to transform them into self-disciplined, responsible, and professional cadets in order to succeed at MMA and throughout their careers. I am more than excited to see many of you on graduation day where the Admirals Cup will be returning to 4th Company.
I will be updating this page daily once orientation begins.
Orientation Day 1 08/18
It was a pleasure meeting you all at the door for check-in this morning. As you all said your goodbyes on the bleachers, your C/C’s were met by their squad leaders who will be guiding them for the next 10 days as well as the school year. Day 0 was a lot about learning the basic skills needed everyday during Orientation. Following them leaving the bleachers they went to lunch where they learned the traditions that we adhere to in the Mess Deck. They then went to the gym where they got everything they needed for uniforms and learned some basic facing movements. We then did some drill practice as well as studied their Youngie Knowledge. We then went back to the Mess Deck to eat an evening meal prior to their two health and safety meetings to cap off the night. Although many C/C’s may have started off a little nervous, the anticipation and excitement for what is to come can be felt throughout the campus, especially in 4th Company. I am more than excited to see this group of Youngies develop into strong individuals and grow as a team in order to thrive throughout their time here. I am confident that this group of C/C’s has what it takes to bring the Admirals Cup home. I would like to leave you all with this,”With the courage to begin, and the discipline to endure, victory is only a matter of time.” These C/C’s have all made the courageous decision to take the road less traveled and be a part of something greater than themselves. I know that everyday they will grow stronger and the results will be well worth every second of discomfort.Good morning family and friends of 4th Company.
It was a pleasure meeting you all at the door for check-in this morning. As you all said your goodbyes on the bleachers, your C/C’s were met by their squad leaders who will be guiding them for the next 10 days as well as the school year. Day 0 was a lot about learning the basic skills needed everyday during Orientation. Following them leaving the bleachers they went to lunch where they learned the traditions that we adhere to in the Mess Deck. They then went to the gym where they got everything they needed for uniforms and learned some basic facing movements. We then did some drill practice as well as studied their Youngie Knowledge. We then went back to the Mess Deck to eat an evening meal prior to their two health and safety meetings to cap off the night. Although many C/C’s may have started off a little nervous, the anticipation and excitement for what is to come can be felt throughout the campus, especially in 4th Company. I am more than excited to see this group of Youngies develop into strong individuals and grow as a team in order to thrive throughout their time here. I am confident that this group of C/C’s has what it takes to bring the Admirals Cup home. I would like to leave you all with this,”With the courage to begin, and the discipline to endure, victory is only a matter of time.” These C/C’s have all made the courageous decision to take the road less traveled and be a part of something greater than themselves. I know that everyday they will grow stronger and the results will be well worth every second of discomfort.
Orientation Day 2 08/19
Today the Cadet Candidates were awoken just before sunrise and marched over to the football field where they officially met their 4th Company Cadre. Following “Meet the Cadre” we went to breakfast and then had a few meetings. Today’s meeting consisted of MMA History and Watchstanding, a vital component of daily life at MMA, and MMA History. The C/C’s then headed back to the gym to receive more of their uniform items. Prior to the noon meal we had our first “patio” experience. This is where the Regimental Staff question the C/C’s and they get to show off what they learned. I am happy to report that 4th Company killed their first go around. Following the noon meal we had some time to study in their rooms prior to a Customs and Traditions meeting.
After this meeting we headed over to the baseball field to face 3rd Co in ultimate frisbee. 4th Company put on an absolute clinic for 3rd Co and took home our first of many intramural wins. We then got everyone cleaned up for the evening meal where we headed back for another patio. This time was not as successful as the first as the Regimental Staff upped their questioning, however, as John F. Kennedy once said, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray for stronger men,” or in this case, stronger Cadet Candidates. Overall I believe today was a big day for growth and I loved seeing all C/C’s step their game up and bring the energy.
Orientation Day 3 08/20
As the sun rose over the canal today, your C/C’s had their first PT Test, 4th Company absolutely crushed it with notable performances by C/C Carr (6:01 Mile Time, 75 Sit-ups, and 66 pushups), C/C Mackenzie (6:30 Mile Time, 78 Sit-ups, and 115 Pushups), and C/C Brook (6:35 Mile Time, 68 Sit-ups, 55 Pushups). Following the PT Test we got the C/C’s cleaned up, fed, and headed on over to the pool for Water Survival Training. This training spanned multiple hours where C/C’s learned various water survival techniques such as the solo survival techniques, group techniques, how to flip a life raft, and a buddy carry relay race to finish it off.
After the pool we headed over to the baseball field to practice more drill before our rematch against 3rd Co in frisbee. After two hard-fought halves, 3rd Co ultimately came out victorious, however there’s no shame in getting knocked out, the shame comes when you throw in the towel, and 4th Co will never throw in the towel. We capped the night off with evening patio, evening meal, followed by two meetings, Title IX Training and Belonging 101.
Orientation Day 4 08/21
This morning at 0530 the C/C’s were awoken by their squad leaders and ushered to the football field for PT. I was very pleased with 4th company’s eagerness to get to PT as we beat every other company by a few minutes. Today’s PT consisted of a one mile run led by the squad leaders as they sang cadences to boost morale. Following PT we headed to the baseball field to do some more drill and knowledge. During this time myself and the 4th Company XO 1/C Ashley Brennan got the C/C’s away from their Squad Leaders for a little and asked all of them why they chose MMA. Everybody has their own reasons but one common theme was bettering themselves and their families. We then gave them all some time to talk amongst themselves and brainstorm ways to win the Admirals cup, after this time to reflect 4th Company’s energy skyrocketed. Everything we did for the rest of the day was at 100% effort. Lunch patio was the best we’ve had yet, everybody was high volume and nailed every question. They then went back to the gym to get more uniforms prior to our kickball match against 1st Co. In an absolute blow-out, 4th took the win 14-6. As 1/C Donahue (4th Company 03 Platoon Leader) said,“There are no such things as hero’s, only those who accomplish incredible feats under incredible amounts of pressure.” 4th Company embodied this quote throughout the day today, crushing another patio before dinner and being attentive through their two meetings from health services and career services. To cap off the night the C/C’s marched to 2/C Jones’s cadence and shook the campus with their incredible volume. Today was easily one of the most successful orientation days I have ever seen as a C/C, Squad Leader, and Company Commander.
Orientation Day 5 08/22
Yet again 4th Company was first to the PT field. Starting the day off with some field exercises really set the tone for the day. Energy carried from yesterday and really had everyone fired up. After PT we headed to morning meal then to the ABS to get photos taken for their keycards. We then had all the C/C’s start setting up their rooms for inspections that will come later in Orientation.
Patio before noon meal went very well, The C/C’s have definitely carried their newfound energy from yesterday. After an academic planning meeting we got to face off against 3rd Co in dodgeball where they won two straight rounds in a best of three series. While other companies are starting to get bogged down, 4th Company just keeps their foot on the gas. This energy is going to be what carries us through to the end because everybody’s great when they’re tired, when everybody’s tired that’s when the real champions come out. Following intramurals we went back to the patio where we showed the Regimental Staff that no matter what, 4th Company means business. To cap off the night they attended two more meetings, Athletics and Training and Retention. Tomorrow the C/C’s get to travel to Bridgewater to get a crash course on fire fighting at the MA Fire Academy. I am excited to get the C/C’s a chance to leave campus and gain some new knowledge.
Orientation Day 6 08/23
Before the sun rose, or anybody else was on the field, 4th Company started warming up for our morning run. Cadences sung by the Squad Leaders were echoed across campus by the C/C’s. Following morning meal they packed up two buses and headed to Bridgewater for fire fighting. During this time they learned how to use different nozzles for the hoses as well as how to don SCBA’s(Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). We then had plenty of drill time where we made a large amount of progress, I am very excited for you all to see their progression during the marching competition on graduation day. 4th Company killed patio prior to the evening meal where they recited all 26 parts of the steam cycle as well as nailing a few other random questions. To cap off the night they had a very engaging presentation about shipboard customs and safety. Today was a day full of small wins, and small wins turn to victories.
Orientation Day 7 08/24
For the sixth day in a row, 4th Company was first to the field to get around and do some field exercises. After some showers and morning meal, the C/C’s had plenty of time to study more Youngie Knowledge. As we approach the marching competition on the day of graduation, we have been preparing any chance we get. Drilling on the parade field was hot today but everybody is putting in the work that will pay off during that competition. The C/C’s then got the chance to meet their 4th Company Officer, LT Nehemiah Jordan. LT Jordan shared with them his past and some advice he has for everyone not just during orientation but during the school year as well. Among some of this advice was acting as a whole team or in his words, a tribe. LT Jordan discussed his Mattakeesett Tribal roots and the importance of sovereignty here at the academy. We then went to noon meal and killed the patio, then had our pictures taken as a company. After pictures we did more drill and then went to the pool for a water polo game against 5th co. In an absolute demolition, we took home the win improving our record to 4-1. We then headed to evening patio which was quite impressive and then ate our evening meal. They then went into academic breakout sessions by their majors, then a community service meeting. Today was a long one for the C/C’s however they grinded their way through the day regardless of how if they really had the motivation or not. As 1/C Ashley Brennan (4th Company Executive Officer) said, “The man who loves to walk will walk farther than the man who loves the destination.” 4th Company exemplified this throughout the entire day today as they just kept walking no matter what.
Orientation Day 8 08/25
Today the C/C’s got a nice calm wakeup and PT off in order to have some personal reflection time and time to pray if they wanted, those who opted not to got more time to clean and set-up their rooms. We then went to morning meal followed by morning formation. We then went back to their rooms to do more room set-up and then went over to the classrooms where they got a more relaxed place to study and ask questions about any school year operations. We then headed over to patio where we struggled a little bit with volume but overall was successful. Following noon meal we headed to Admirals Hall for a presentation on the Regimental Manual by 1/C Nicholas Molloy (Regimental Operations Officer). This meeting was followed up by an address from the Student Government Association President where he dove into student life on campus. We then faced off against 2 Co in Ultimate Frisbee where we dominated for the entire game and took home the win improving our record to 5-1. After some showers we headed toward patio and took some time in the shade to study and get everyone hyped up. We absolutely killed evening patio and then ate our evening meal. With just a few days left 4th Company continues to keep their foot on the gas and impress us everyday, their dedication to doing their best is extremely admirable. As 1/C Nicholas Molloy said, “Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing, moderation is for cowards.” This group of C/C’s have done their best at everything we have thrown at them
Orientation Day 9 08/26
This morning 4th Company was first to the field yet again for another PT test. Today’s test was to see growth throughout Orientation, every single C/C I talked to said that all of their scores improved. Some may say this improvement was from the PT we did everyday, however I would argue all of these improvements came from within, over the last 8 days your C/C’s have pushed themselves beyond what they believed to be their limit, and this PT test shows that no matter how tired they may be, they are still able to push themselves. Following the PT test we quickly showered, ate our morning meal and loaded up the buses to head over to Great Herring Pond for some Sailing and rowing. The C/C’s got a complete break from their Squad Leaders at the pond as it was just my senior staff and I. At the pond the C/C’s got the opportunity to sail small boats in groups of three, row as a team in the Monomoys where they raced the clock against the other companies who had pond day before us, and row one of the crew teams barges. This pond day was a huge morale booster where all of the C/C’s really got to know each other and bond. Sadly our day was cut slightly short by rain but we headed back to campus and they were given some more time indoors to set their room up for the Regimental Staffs inspection tomorrow. We then went to evening meal and a military recruiting presentation to cap off the night. As we near the end of Orientation spirits are high and everyone is putting in their best effort to end strong. As 2/C Mekjian (4th Company Squad Leader) said, “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” Every 4th Company C/C has pushed themselves to become that warrior in a garden over the last 8 days and these traits will carry them farther than they know not only at school but in life as well.
Orientation Day 10
This morning 4th Company was first to the field yet again to stretch out for our 2.5 mile run along the canal. This run was led by both senior staff and Squad Leaders signing cadences being echoed by the C/C’s throughout the entire run. I can happily report that 4th Company had nearly no C/C’s who had to drop behind the platoon unlike a lot of the other companies. Following the run we got cleaned up and headed to morning meal where we replenish our bodies to prepare for a long day of drill. We practiced for the marching competition nearly all morning as we have absolutely no intent on losing. We then headed over to patio prior to noon meal where we smoked every question the Regimental Staff threw at us. Following noon meal we di a little more drill practice in order to finalize everything. We then faced off against 6th Company in a final ultimate frisbee game, both 6th Co and 4th Company were 6-1 going into this game so it was an absolute must win. With 5 minutes left in the game 6th co went up 8-5. After an insane run by 4th Company, C/C Lynch caught a touchdown with 3 seconds left on the clock to go ahead 9-8. This big time was exactly what everybody needed to propel them through an exhausting last 24 hours. After this exciting win we hit the showers before going over to evening patio where we killed it yet again. We then did a walkthrough of Orientation graduation and then hd our Regimental Staff Room Inspections. I was actually very impressed with all of the 4th Company’s rooms, while there were still minor adjustments to be made, every room had a lot to be proud of.
With this being the last night of Orientation, I reflect on everything I have seen over the past 9 days. I saw these young men and women come in wide eyed, eager for opportunity, and definitely nervous. However through their short time here they have all developed an incredible amount of self confidence as well as an enormous amount of 4th Company pride. This group truly is something special, while other companies struggled to find their unison, 4th Company grew as more than just a team, we grew together as a tribe. Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, but 4th Company makes it happen.