Monday, August 16th, 2021

The startling awakening greets the Youngies once again in the morning. When stepping outside for physical training, it usually is still pitch black. The stadium lights come on at 0500. The Youngies get to watch the world awaken.

The companies that weren’t already preoccupied with scheduled events, attend morning formation. All other companies march out onto the football field at approximately 0750 in a unified fashion. Standing at the head of the formation is the Regimental Staff; 1/C Cameron Craviero, the Regimental Adjutant, and 1/C Daniel McAuliffe, the Regimental Commander (RC). The RC calls the Regiment to Attention and everyone pays their respect to the flag.

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Today, there was a variety of activities for Cadet Candidates. Some of these activities were sailing and rowing. This took place at Herring Pond, located in Plymouth 15 minutes from campus. Here, the Maritime sailing and rowing teams practice during the Fall semester. Marine boat drills take place at the Keith Rodgers Sailing Center, Massachusetts Maritime Academy waterfront training ground.

Intramurals continued with companies competing in different events and facing different opponents. Today, a massive dodgeball game took place on the baseball field where 1st company took on 3rd company.

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1st Company Vs 3rd Company

The Youngies had an amazing opportunity to train with the Barnstable Fire Fighting Academy today.  The instructors taught them about shipboard fire fighting.  During the lessons, they learned about how to roll, hold, and spray water using fire hoses.  Another station was the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  Everyone learned to wear and operate the air packs.  The third station was putting out a fire with a fire extinguisher and hose. Fire Fighting is one of the company unit awards that will be presented at the Orientation graduation.

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It was another great day to learn and become closer with shipmates!  Cadets 1/C Blakely, SGA President and 1/C Aldakhlallah, Intramural Officer, held fabulous team-building exercises to build camaraderie and unity among the companies.  Massachusetts Maritime Academy is more than just an academy, it is a family.

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Tuesday, August 17th, 2021

The cycle continues as the companies adhere to the schedule to execute the training activities of Orientation. After the daily morning activities, the 4th Company got to have their hands-on “Water Survival” class in the MMA pool. This class teaches new Cadet Candidates how to properly and safely jump off a boat, how to swim in a life jacket, how to create a flotation circle out of a group of individuals, how to climb in a life raft, and how to flip a life raft. This class is taught by faculty members from our Marine Transportation and Engineering departments. The training utilizes actual equipment including life rafts that are used on the T.S. Kennedy (the Academy’s training ship) inside the pool.

2nd Company and 3rd Company got to experience the “Sea Lab”. The sea lab instructors are full-time lab instructors here at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The Sea Lab goes over the basic fundamental rules of seamanship. It also talks about the safety of being out at sea. The practical portion of the training includes being in a stationary monomoy on land, practice rowing commands, and how to operate as a team.

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Every day the Cadet Candidates are now being tested on the spot. The Youngies are evaluated twice daily by the leadership staff with a training exercise called “Patio”. The Patio session is an exercise in which the Regimental and Battalion Staff stand on the patio outside of the Mess Deck and the Cadet Candidates march in a platoon on the walkway in front of the patio with their respective companies, Squad Leaders, and Senior Cadet Officers. The companies are then subjected to questions pertaining to the “Youngie Knowledge” that they will be expected to know for their end of orientation “Youngie Knowledge Exam”. The Senior Staff then evaluates the growth and progress of the Companies by vocally quizzing on their Youngie knowledge, assessing their unity, and marching skills.

Later that evening, all of the Companies attended military branch briefings from the US Army, USMC, and USCG. The presenters were COL Dilliplane, (Ret.), Maj Johnson, and Chief Crawford. The presentations gave insight into their commissioning programs either on campus or at other institutions of higher education in MA.

Sunday, August 15th, 2021

The Youngies awaken to the sound of music and their squad leaders motivate them to get out of their rack at 4:45. A rush to get ready and fallout of their rooms, leaves the Cadet Candidates running in formation to the football field. At the football field, the inventory physical fitness test will take place. Youngies will have to run a time recorded mile around campus then perform as many push-ups and sit-ups as they can in a certain time period.

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After their morning physical training, the candidates refuel with breakfast. Then, proceed to commemorate the start of the day with the raising and saluting of the flag at morning formation. From this point on, the different companies will execute the training schedule for the remainder of the day.

The topics these lectures covered included how to stand watch, military customs & traditions, the discipline system, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy history.

The companies always drilled and studied their “Youngie knowledge” when gaps in the schedule allowed it. Youngie knowledge consists of memorizing the change of command, the mission statement, the 13 traits of a leader, and other important values critical to their journey at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The Candidates ate lunch to charge up for team and company bonding in intramural competitions around campus. The intramurals events are kickball, dodge ball, and water polo. Intramurals give companies a chance to make new friends by competing as a team and working together to create and build a stronger union. Intramurals give everyone a chance to participate and motivate shipmates to work together towards a goal.

The Youngies had the honor of meeting their Cadre today. The Cadre introduced themselves and gave information about themselves to the class of 2025. While introducing themselves, they also told the Youngies what their standards are and what they expect from them.

At 1900, Cadet Candidates had the privilege to register and make their own account for the Massachusetts Fire Academy. They will all be practicing fire safety in the next few days. Stay tuned for photographs related to operating a fire extinguisher, operating a fire hose, and using a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus tank. Leave us a comment if you would like. We would really appreciate feedback

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