United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Team
Spruance
Commanding Officer's
March 06 Report
Unit Headquarters:
300 SW 25th Street
P.O. Box 21101
Fort Lauderdale
Florida 33335-1101
954-522-8995
E-Mail:
info@flseacadets.org
To: All Hands Subject: Monthly Report
VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
March 2006
The Cadets of the Spruance Division began the month of March with a hands-on lesson on the importance of the environment, and how their own future is tied directly together. 40 Cadets and our Staff participated in the Annual Broward County Waterways Cleanup.
We volunteered to work inside John U. Lloyd State Park, and concentrated on the Whiskey Creek area. The Cadets picked up at least 30 bags of trash, with some being remnants of Hurricane Wilma. They crawled among the mangroves and were knee deep in brackish water, and they accomplished the mission! Tired, hot wet and hungry, they were treated to lunch in the Galley of Coast Guard Station Ft Lauderdale. The lessons learned this day that it takes a special effort to care for our fragile environment, is a lesson we can all learn from.
March is our Annual Inspection month, and the Cadets stood proud and tall under the gaze of Commander Sheryl Dickinson, USCG, the Inspecting Officer. The Cadets made a personal effort to make sure they were “squared away”, and CDR Dickinson remarked on the commitment the Cadets demonstrated as they paraded in the traditional “Pass in Review”, to the music of “Semper Paratus”. CDR Dickinson is the head of Coast Guard Prevention Operations in Miami and spoke to the Cadets on the “choices” that life has to offer them and the personal choices she has made in her very successful Coast Guard Career. She is responsible for Marine Inspections, Merchant Mariner Licensing, and compliance with all rules for the safety of the boating and maritime industries in South Florida. She presented the NSCC Distinguished Service Ribbon to PO1 Jessica Vance for her selection as the National Cadet of the Year. She also presented Advancement awards to Seaman Ashley Diener, and new Petty Officer Third Class, Anna Balcunas and Marcus Quintana. Timothy Nasta received his “Crow” as a new Petty Officer First Class. CDR Dickinson recognized the Parents and praised the members of FT Lauderdale Council for their Outstanding Support.
The Admin Inspection was conducted by LCDR Marshall Muros, NSCC, the Regional Director, and Commander of the Sea Cadet “Special Boat Unit”, in Okeechobee, Florida.
The Staff worked hard to ensure that all the Units Personnel Records, Advancements, Training, and Navy Correspondence Courses were well documented, and the financial report was complete and accurate. LCDR Muros commented on how well organized the Unit is, and the dedication demonstrated by the Staff of Volunteers. LCDR Muros also had great praise for the Ft Lauderdale Council, noting that no other Unit that he has inspected had the backing and total support demonstrated by the Ft Lauderdale Council to the Sea Cadet Program.Respectfully Submitted,
LCDR Alan Starr, USNSCC
Commanding Officer, Team Spruance