Cadets of The Howard High School’s NJROTC Tiger Battalion, embarked USCGC Ouachita (WLR 65501) on Thursday to conduct training activities and earn the coveted Sea Cruise Ribbon.
While on station, the cadets dawned firefighting gear and learned the importance of underway damage control procedures and operations. These training activities bridged the gap between the shipboard operations and damage control sections of the curriculum with a real-world hands-on application of the learned skillsets. Cadets also participated in small boat operations and conducted simulated man overboard drills.
The Coast Guardsmen highlighted the importance of Maritime Domain Awareness and their services’ many missions. The cadets learned first-hand how the Ouachita serves this region. The USCC Ouachita is a river buoy tender responsible for maintaining lighted aids to navigation, dayboards, and over 1,700 buoys along a 619-mile stretch of waterways.
Prior to departing, the cadets assembled in formation and Cadet Ensign Silmary Morales, formally presented the Cutter’s crew with a NJROTC shield, created in the school’s STEM lab, as a token of appreciation. The visit was concluded with an awards ceremony to recognize several deserving cadets for their demonstrated citizenship, exemplary appearance, and service to the unit and their school.
This field experience provided great insight and yielded an appreciable understanding of the Coast Guard’s Motto Semper Paratus – Always Ready.