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From now until the end of the semester, Monday afternoons are SAILING days.
We have already had class sessions, if you missed out then you can still catch up. We will have a written assignment on this coming Monday (Feb 21).
As one beginner put it, "This is like a real class, and stuff." Yes it is!
We have a few cadets who started last fall that are almost qualified on the basics, and are ready to take on the Blue Book. This is for those motivated few who want to earn their sailor's aiguillette.
What is the Sailor's Aiguillette, you ask? We should probably cover this (briefly) in class... the aiguillette is (as any cadet should know) a special uniform decoration. The New Bern NJROTC awards one to members of the Sailing Squad who have qualified to not only skipper a small sailboat for an afternoon of fun, but to teach, to plan, to navigate, to use radio communications, to perform rescue operations if necessary... in other words, the full range of knowledge & skill to take command of a vessel & crew.
Earning this qualification is a serious undertaking. We have several cadets who been working on it for 3 semesters and more; a few are getting very close. This past Monday (Feb 14) was the first time that a classroom session on Navigation was taught. We will have at least one more classroom session, when possible we will have advanced classes for those who are qualified.
Do you have to take it this seriously? Sailing is FUN after all!!
The answer is no... any cadet is welcome to join the sailors but we take safety seriously. It takes teamwork to get the fleet underway, and that is part of the enjoyment.
I hope this sunny weather is getting you all to thinking about going out on the river.
... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King
Learning how to sail is indeed a very rewarding experience. it's great that there are now classes that offer opportunity to learn the art of sailing.
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