Chuck Seaver – South Lake Tablet
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) Clermont Battalion held its annual graduation and awards ceremony at the Performing Arts Center, Clermont on May 21st. The USNSCC is a congressionally chartered, U.S. Navy-sponsored organization that teaches individuals about sea-going military services, U.S. Naval operations and training, community service, citizenship, and an understanding of discipline and teamwork. The USNSCC is composed of two age groups, 10-13 years of age and the senior group, 13-18 years of age. The Clermont Battalion accommodates both age groups. The local battalion currently staffs sixteen members and fifty cadets.
The Commanding Officer, LTJG. Michael Steidley stated, “This award and graduation ceremony represents a tremendous achievement by the Naval Sea Cadets that are present. These cadets have worked extremely hard and have achieved so much. You are looking at the future leaders of our great Nation”.
A variety of awards were presented, including:
- The Chief Charles Broadway Award – presented to Cadet Emmie Justice.
- The Outstanding Service Award – presented to Instructor Angel Gerard.
- The Outstanding Service Award – presented to Instructor Kathleen Justice.
- The Meritorious Navy Award – presented to Lt. Gary Schindel who is a founding officer of the Clermont Battalion, serving since 2016.
Guest speaker Jon Hopman, Head of School for the Montverde Academy detailed his life experiences as the son of a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent. Hopman’s travels as a child included a stay at the United States embassy located in Tanzania, a country located in East Africa. While there, Hopman learned respect and gratitude for the United States military personnel stationed at the embassy.
The ceremony was closed with the citing of the Sea Cadet Oath, “I promise to serve God, honor our flag, abide by Naval Sea Cadet Corps Regulations, and carry out the orders of the officers appointed over me, and so conduct myself as to be a credit to myself, my unit, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard, and my country”.
Visit clermontbattalion.com for details and recruiting information.
