5th Company Commander: 1/C Micheal Riehl
Read below for an update from the Company Commander daily and scroll down for photos.
Day One –
Good afternoon,
Today was the first full day of orientation for the 5th Company cadet candidates. The day started off with “Meet the Cadre”, this event is the cadet candidates official introduction to their cadre staff. From this point on any little mistake made by your cadet candidates will be recognized and the staff will correct it.
The platoon was moved to the mess deck where the cadet candidates had breakfast which was then followed by morning formation on the parade field. Morning formation is held everyday during the school to confirm accurate accountability of personnel. The rest of the day was an assortment of meetings included hands on Monomoy rowing, watch standing, and MMA history.
The day concluded with an intramural game of water polo verse 6th Company and a STCW firefighting class.
At 2200 all of the cadet candidates are sent to bed after standing taps; a military procedure done to honor those who served. Today was a hard day for the entire platoon but we expect nothing but the best from them. I have hope in my entire 5th Company staff to push these cadet candidates to the best of their ability and strive for success. Thank you for following along as always please contact me with any questions.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Micheal Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Two –
Good morning,
Today was the first of physical training for your cadet candidate. They were woken up at 0530 by the cadre and hurried to the football field were they completed their first physical training test. The test includes a 1 mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups. We represented well with some top finishers in the run. After PT we enjoyed a hardy breakfast and then we hurried to Herring pond. Cadet candidates got the opportunity to step away from the regiment and cadre to participate in various pond activities such as monomoy rowing, sailing, and crew rowing. After an exciting day at the pond we headed back to the academy in the mid afternoon to practice drill. After drill and dinner the cadet candidates had meetings on Title IX and diversity. The day concluded as always with the playing of Taps. Thank you for following along, as always please contact me with any questions.
Very Respectfully
1/C Michael Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Three –
Good afternoon,
Today 5th Company started with the run at PT. We did a 1 mile cadence run as a platoon around campus. After the completion of the run we did a cool down stretch and marched back to the company for recovery time before preparing to head to Bridgewater for firefighting.
Your cadet candidates ate a quick breakfast then boarded the buses to head out. Today at fire fighting cadet candidates completed three stations. The three stations included hose handling, fire extinguishers, and self-contained breath apparatus (SCBA). During the hose handling station C/C’s were taught different types of hoses and appliances. Additionally, they learned how to deploy different fire attack lines with maritime nosels. At the next station C/C’s worked on fire extinguishers. They learned about classifications of fire extinguishers and how to use them. With this knowledge, C/C’s finished the station by putting out live fires. Lastly, at the third station, C/C’s discussed SCBA. They received hands on instruction about the components of the breath apparatus, and how to don and doff SCBA.
After returning from firefighting we participated in intramural ultimate frisbee verse 7th company which we won. The cadet candidates night concluded with a medical brief as well as a career services meeting.
Thank you for following along, as always please contact me with any questions.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Micheal Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Four –
Good Evening 5th,
Per usual the day started off with an 0530 wake up followed by physical training. Today the cadet candidates participated in stations, each containing a different workout (push-ups, burpees, sit ups, etc.). After heading to breakfast the company took part in morning formation and were quickly rushed back to the dorms to change into their “at-sea” uniform for pictures later on in the day.
The cadet candidates were able to tidy up some of their knowledge with proper drill training and youngie knowledge quizzing in the after noon.
The evening consisted of a very motivating game of ultimate frisbee against 6th company. After the cadet candidates were sent to shower and their evening meal, the day concluded with lectures by Coach Kelly and 1/C Gubert where they leathered more about athletics and training and retention. As always the day concluded with Taps.
Thank you for following along, as always please contact me with any questions.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Michael Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Five –
Good Morning 5th,
Today started off with the usual 0530 wake up and PT. Today the cadet candidates participated in a 1.5 mile cadence run. After breakfast the cadet candidates were quickly rushed to water survival at the pool. This consisted of each cadet practicing flipping rafts as well as other survival skills such as the human carpet, help position, and putting on immersion suits. After noon meal 5th company was able to participate in a close game against 2nd Company in dodgeball. After showering and evening meal the cadet candidates sat through a campus police and a shipboard customs and safety management system presentation before being sent to bed.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Micheal Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Six –
Good morning,
This morning started off the same as any other. We had PT on the field and participated in a variety of field exercises such as push-ups, planks, mountain climber, and burpee’s.
After morning PT 5th go right into learning new marching movements. The platoon worked with determination to perfect there column left and rights as well as a move known as “to the rear”. We are getting into more advanced moves in the coming days and the cadet candidates hard work will continue to pay off as we move forward towards the marching competition.
The cadet candidates had a stellar patio performance at noon meal where they were able to spout all the knowledge they were asked in a confident manure. Your cadet candidate have come so far already in their ability to work as a team and it is showing in all aspects of orientation.
There were a couple of meetings today which included academic breakout sessions and a honor code meeting. The afternoon continued with dinner then into the evening all the cadet candidates attended the Buccaneer football scrimmage where they were able to relax for an hour and a half.
The night concluded as normal with the playing of taps.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Michael Riehl
5th Company Commander
Day Seven –
Good morning,
This morning was different than any other this week. Sundays PT is canceled and in place is self reflection time for the cadet candidates. Cadet candidate could choose to go into their rooms for self reflection or were allowed to go to a quiet space to practice their religion if they needed too. If neither of this option suited them cadet candidates participated in room preparation for the upcoming regimental inspections. The inspections is all inclusive as a member of the regimental staff goes through the rooms and inspects beds, wall lockers, dresser drawer, dust in the room, as well as many other things
Today we also practice more drill. The 5th Company cadet candidates are progressing exponentially with their marching movements and stationary drill movements. We are looking forward to the marching competition as we are practice hard.
After drill we had noon meal then company officer time with 5th Company’s Officer Senior Chief Jones. They spent an hour with Senior Chief as he talked to them about his aspirations and goals for them moving forward. Once they left that meeting they were excited and ready to continue on marching. We had another hour block for drill until our intramural game of dodgeball verse 1st Company.
Intramurals did not go in our favor today but we will be sure to bounce back tomorrow with a win. The cadet candidates then attended evening meal followed but a few presentations from the regimental staff. As always the night concluded with the playing of taps.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Michael Riehl
Day Eight –
Greeting to all!
What another beautiful day at the Bay! This morning was the second PT test at Orientation. We had an early wake up and got the cadet candidates over to the football field. They were very highly motivated and ready to take on the test. Most of our cadet candidates either matched or exceeded their previous scores showing much improvement on their PT! It was a very motivating morning for all!
After that we got to head over to Maritime Park as a company and take our pictures. We got plenty of pictures in front of the canal with the mass maritime sign in the background. We took pictures as an entire company, then got some of just the squad leaders, senior staff only, and of course the cadet candidates.
They have been working really hard as we start to come to a close to Orientation 2023. The last two days will be the busiest as we have been doing a lot of marching and youngie knowledge practice. The firefighting, youngie knowledge and marching competition is coming up and we are making sure our cadet candidates are ready to take them on!
Intramurals was a success today as we swept 4th Company and won all 3 games in a row in water polo. This was a moral booster for sure as it lead right into our evening patio that was exceptional. We closed out the day with meetings with the military recruiting staff and the Student Financial Services. TAPS was played as we ended another great day here at the academy.
Very Respectfully,
1/C Michael Riehl
5th Company Commander