Each school year, the NJROTC unit takes two major field trips, with each lasting approximately one week and taking the cadets out of state. They take one in the fall and one in the spring. Past trips have been to Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana. This year, the cadets had the amazing opportunity of visiting three different states with a 7 day, 6-night field trip to Parris Island, South Carolina; Mayport, Florida; and then Williamsburg, Virginia. Fifty-four cadets and four chaperones attended this past trip.

The cadets left on Tuesday, March 24 and, as all the cadets filled the bus and the aroma of food filled the air, they left. After a long drive punctuated by some mechanical issues, the group arrived on Marine Recruit Depot Parris Island around ten thirty that night.  The females and males were set apart and went their separate ways. The barracks were an open bay, a big room filled with bunk beds. The showers and toilets are much the same, everything open with no dividers.

The room was occupied by two other schools as well, one from Ohio and the other from South Florida, so cadets had to be very mindful and cautious as they entered because they were asleep and everyone had to rise early in the morning.

The group rose at 0530 the next morning in order to get dressed, get information, and get on the bus to the galley to breakfast. That morning the group was greeted by yelling and screaming from a DI or Drill Instructor. They were to address him as Drill Instructor Sergeant Thompson. He quickly told them do not touch our faces to fight the bugs. He said you could get a skin disease called cellulitis.  Parris Island is the base where the marine recruits go for thirteen weeks to do various trainings, so acting appropriately was in their interest. Talking at breakfast had to be kept to a minimum.

After breakfast, along with the other schools, cadets took a bus ride over to the rappel tower, which is over forty feet in the air. They learned how to make a seat with just one piece of rope. After a brief safety and instruction, course and many people pulling and tightening ropes, they each repelled down this tower.

This was a highlight to many people’s day and trip, because of the difficulty level that came along with it. The rest of the day was spent with a trip to the base museum, a visit to to the exchange- a grocery/department/electronic store–and outdoor sports.

The cadets also embarked on a ten-mile walk through the forest and down to the beach, led by, of course, Commander Decavage.

Thursday may have been the worst day by far for most cadets because the cadets did a lot of Physical Training (PT). At breakfast, no one wanted to eat much because of the dreaded O-Course, which was to come soon after. The course consisted of pulling yourself over bars, climbing up ropes and jumping over logs. This was fun for some but difficult for many.

They then took the cadets to the gas chamber. This event had people throwing up, feeling sick and crying. The gas was not much more than a basic tear gas but, if you had contacts, asthma, or any skin condition, you could not participate in this event. The students had to go into an enclosed building and do ten jumping jacks, and then they were free to go. After another trip to the exchange and galley, they ran a mini-standard physical training event that the marines do. Try running a lap around the track, then straight to lunges, then climbing a rope and doing this again. Two more times. That is what this group did.

After this, the DI gave the cadets his farewell and talked a little bit about the Marine Corps. They then spent the rest of the day cleaning up of the barracks and playing various outdoor sports with the other schools.

At 0445, they awoke up to get last minute cleaning up done and put on their uniforms to embark on the four-hour drive to Mayport, Florida. When they arrived at Mayport, the group received a base tour. They ate lunch and then went off to see a helicopter squadron. After that, they explored the commissary for a bit before checking into the rooms. After dinner, the cadets took a tour of a vessel that had just arrived at port. They then relaxed after a long day with bowling.

Saturday- Today was the beach day! The cadets ate breakfast packed the bus and headed down about two hours to St. Augustine, FL where they embarked on a boat ride along the water. Then went to Golden Corral where Chief Osborne’s son who is a cadet at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University met them. After talking with him, they headed to Daytona Beach. The weather was nice it was a beautiful seventy degrees and the sun was out. Even though there were a few setbacks with someone getting hurt that did not stop the fun of the cadets. After three hours of playing in the water and going to various shops, they loaded the bus to take the trips back to the rooms. Commander then bought over twenty-five boxes of pizza for dinner.

They left Florida the next morning and did not do much this day but drive. Cadets kept the Sunday tradition alive and had a mini-church session in the back of the bus for about two hours, complete with singing, scripture reading, and a sermon. They stopped in Georgia to fuel up the bus, and it takes over 600 dollars to fuel a charter bus! Later that night they arrived at Williamsburg, VA at the Cheltenham Weapons Annex, where they were greeted by the cold, raining weather.

With Monday being the last day, they decided to go out and have fun, so they spent the day at Busch Gardens before taking the final trip back home. The cadets arrived back at Paint Branch around 8:00pm and all the cadets arose early the next day to return to school.