Cambodia - Service Expedition

The next series of my blog entries are being dedicated to the Cambodia Service Expedition which will take place from 21 March through 29 March. In attendance will be our students of I-Shou International School (my school I have been working at since August 2014). This trip has been set up in cooperation with the Rustic Pathways Group . As we all prepare for this expedition, I will personally be returning for my several visit since my first trip back in 1991, when I was there as a soldier training with the Cambodian Royal Army - 911 Special Forces.  Throughout my training (back then) I was able to earn my Royal Cambodian Airborne Wings, as we jumped combined forces (Cambodian and US) from an Mi-17. Throughout the course of my life, I have returned as an active member of my VFW Post 9951 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) of Bangkok Thailand for "Official" VFW District Meetings.  I have returned several times for visits of the country as a family man and visiting my close friend Robert McCarthy (Vietnam Veteran - Infantry Captain) who is now an Archeologist on the Bayon Temple in Angkor Wat.  This return trip will be quiet special because I am returning with some of my students and will be viewing some same visited locations but through their eyes and understanding. Let the Journey continue!!!

My Number 1 All Time Classic - Dream Weaver

RAIDERS - SSHS JROTC "Elite" Cadets

Special Forces in the late 80s and forward has a unique way of pre-selecting Special Forces candidates through a course called SFAS (Special Forces Assessment Selection). Down and dirty the process is to weed out the ones who really want to be there vs wannabees who (my opinion) watched 1 too many war movies. From there the selected will be qualified to move on to the training of a Special Forces Operative... Still with an ongoing selection process.

Nothing but pride for thoughts who prevail and awarded with the covenant "Green Beret" and the Special Forces Tab.

With all this knowledge and background in my past - as a JROTC instructor. I wanted the cadets of SSHS (trained by myself and SGM Kiyoshi) to have an opportunity to get a small taste, yet full understanding the sweetness of earning an "Elite" award. Also, to help them understand success is sweater when you earn it!

So 3 1/2 years ago when I got on board I knew (from my recruiting past) about "the Raiders" in JROTC... problem was there was no set standard on how to achieve this cool looking award - I know of one school that basically gives it out to the cadets to be "hall monitors" (my opinion - If the SF was all about "ratting out" fellow soldiers I never would have signed up). Anyways, I said to myself there it is! Raiders will become SSHS JROTC "Elite" cadets.

I started off with 36 cadets all Raiders "Wannabees". Phase I - was performed by these cadets will a pretest of everything they would all be taught and must have scored with at minimum 40% (that will be cycled into their overall qualifying score) along with a Cadet Challenge Plus test (Push-ups, pull-ups, v-sit, curl-ups, shuttle run, and a 2-1/2 mile run) must score a 60%. I saw a drop off with 32 remaining. Their titles then changed to TURD (Training Under Rigorous Development), say what you want... these cadets are proud of that newly earned title.

Then Phase II began - Map Reading/Land Navigation/Orientation, cadets were trained in the same fashion as we were in the Army (classroom, hands-on practice, practical applications, then tested) all "TURD's" must then score at minimum of 70% (again factor into the running scores).

Phase III - Marksmanship training. All must score above 80% - However, to actually fire the air rifles they must score 100%.

Phase IV - Ropes/One Rope Bridge (building and crossing). The TURDs must score a 70% in this area.

Phase V - First Aid/CPR (Also earning their Red Cross Certifications). TURDs must score a 80% for Red Cross qualifications and a GO in the hands-on testing [we will have several cadets laid out in a scenario where they have injuries including: victims (conscious/unconscious) choking, bleeding (venous & arterial), fractures (open & closed), shock, not breathing.

Phase VI - They will then retest the original General Knowledge test (same from "Wannabee" phase) must score higher than there original score 70% and the Cadet Challenge Plus physical testing must score 75%.

Graduation event is when the TURDs will me at the base of Mt Tapochao and race to the very top (Jesus statue) under the time of 33 minutes. Those who complete the Raider training with an over all score exceeding 75% will be issued their covenant RAIDER arc and Black Cord. The selected 5 overall Raiders will remain active year round and wear a "Gray Beret". The "Honor Grad" will also be recognized amongst their Raider peers.

The Class of 2004 started with 36 and ended with 11.
The Class of 2005 started with 28 and ended with 9.
The class of 2006 started with 26 and ended with 3.
The Class of 2007 started with 26 and currently have 14 remaining (due to complete their training and testing by 26 March 2007).

These "Elite" cadets are truly in a class of their own and have endured through much. The cadets among them shows the due respect and understand what they go through - they too have pride in what their Raider cadets have went through. All TURD scores are posted in the open for all cadets to see - this brings out the challenge among the cadets.

Want to know more... find any SSHS JROTC Raider and ask them of their experience and feelings.

Cadet's Extra Credit Section

Welcome to my Blog Site Cadets... Get use to using the Blog Site as you know the Computer Technology is here to stay and you cannot run or hide from it! Blog sites are currently being used in college by the students and University professors - Blog sites are also used by all branches of the military and it's soldiers.

This is just another way to communicate, provide information, and express ones opinions. By definition a Blog Site is nothing more than a daily journal.

Alright to get you started below and then post your comment:

With the continuation of the War on Iraq (and forces deployed elce where...), the down fall of Saipan's economy, and your families economic situation (some are good, even, and hurting), and Saipan resently putting to rest 2 more of its sons (fallen Heroes)... I know and realize many of you cadets may be considering joining the military as a "wayout"... Are you prepared for what may lie ahead for you (possible deployment to war)? Do the benifits (leaving Saipan, earning a good paycheck, learning a new trade (job skill/s), etc...).

If you are not joining the military and are college bound... Are you ready? Did you take your SAT/ACT test? Did you apply for the college that you want to attend? Did you go to their web site and look at the admissions cost (registration fees, tuition cost [per credit hour], health insurance, lab fees, student services, room & board, etc)... How much money are you going to spend on food? Vehicle (yes/no) cost including gas, maintainence? Clothing (also depends on the state [your use to Tropical weather]), personal expenses: cell phones, personal computer, phone, cable, water, electricity, DATES, etc...

Planning is EVERYTHING! SGM and myself have been drilling this into you since you first became a cadet, so..... Are you ready? Do you have a plan?