The Westbury High School junior ROTC students had their annual naval inspection on Wednesday, March 18. Over 150 junior cadets, representing all four grades, performed maneuvers and stood for examination by U.S. Naval Commanding Officer Domitilo Pastorin. On the strength of the JROTC officers and advisors, the company passed the inspection.
The Navy works in conjunction with the high school to fund and operate the junior ROTC program. As a result of the Navy’s involvement, the students must adhere to Navy requirements and guidelines throughout the year and be subject to an annual inspection by Naval personnel.
The NJROTC program was started at Westbury High School by retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Richard Immarigeon and retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Bedard 11 years ago. The two serve as advisors for the junior cadets. Both were instructors while enlisted so the transition to teaching high school came easy, Bedard said.
Among all the cadets currently applying for college, one has chosen to set her sights on C.O. Pastorin’s alma mater, the United States Naval Academy. JROTC Executive Officer Theresa Oriental is a junior but has already begun the application process by contacting Congressmen and local officials for letters of recommendation. This summer shealso plans on spending two weeks at Annapolis training with fellow cadets.
Though the entire process may be daunting, Oriental has known this was the path she wanted to take since eighth grade, when she and her commanding officer, Jessica Galeas joined the JROTC program.
“We came into the summer program and participated in the drill teams and the color guards,” Oriental said. “We work in a chain of command within the staff so whatever she tells me to do, I do.”
Oriental had some guidance before choosing to become a junior cadet. Her sister was an Operations Officer in the program and graduated from Westbury High School in 2012. Despite the family ties, she still experienced a learning curve.
“At first it’s a lot of discipline,” she said. “We weren’t ready for that. You’re not used to someone yelling in your face and doing the repetitions.”
During that summer program with Oriental, Galeas excelled in leadership roles, actively seeking out new experiences and challenges.
“When they would say who wants to do this, I would be the first one to raise my hand,” Galeas said. “I just grew and grew and grew and now I’m here.”
While having her sights set on attending the Navy, Oriental is also looking at Virginia Military Institute and Howard University where she would enroll in the Naval ROTC program.
“It’s a big adjustment [joining the military],” she said. “It’s something I have been working towards. Being in this program I get better oversight than kids who have never been in ROTC.”
Fellow ROTC member Melissa Pleitez is planning on going to the Air Force Academy in Colorado to study physical therapy. She says being part of this program has helped give her a head start.
“It give me a heads up on what I am expected to see, experience and helps me deal with problems I may encounter there,” said Pleitez. “It doesn’t only prepare those who want to go into the military, but gives students discipline they will need for the future and helps to show you how to present yourself.”
