All photos by William Tierney
This year, almost 200 motivated and determined cadets, many of them freshmen, stood proudly at attention as they awaited their turn to be inspected by Mr. Gregory Washington, our Area 1 Manager, or Petty Officer Cooper from the United States Navy.
After a stressful and thorough inspection of every platoon, we moved on to the most impactful yet beautiful part of the day: our Pass and Review Ceremony. During our ceremony, all of our cadets formed around the gym into their respective platoons, relieved that the hardest part of the day had passed. After we called in our honored parties who attended that day, including Assemblyman Matt Slater, we began.
Our color guard presented our nation’s colors with honor, commanded by Sam Horth, followed by our very own band who gracefully played the National Anthem, conducted by Miss Andrea Perdicho. Afterwards, as our guests took their seats, our unit Executive Officer Lizeth Estrada called upon our platoon commanders and their guidons to take the center of the gym. Each platoon commander reported in, their guidons dipping until they received the expected “very well” approval.
The Executive Officer then reported to our unit Commanding Officer, Ryan Martin, before being given the order to publish the order of the day. After the order of the day had been published, the order was given for the guidons and platoon commanders to return to their platoons.
As the guidons and commanders returned to their platoons, our Senior Naval Science Instructor, Captain Thomas King, delivered a speech to Mr. Washington and all of the cadets. Afterwards, Mr. Washington granted us with some words of wisdom and praise towards our unit in his own speech.
We then proceeded with the awards portion of the ceremony. We granted many cadets who have met the specific requirements necessary to rank up with their awards. Included in this portion, we had four very special rank ups for four very dedicated, committed NS1’s. These NS1’s received the highest rank possible as a first year cadet, a rank that usually takes an entire year to complete, Petty Officer Third Class. Cadets Marjorie Palma, Ethan Cruz, Michael Lliguin, and Jazmin Guzman have really hit the ground running by achieving these ranks so early in their first year.
As the platoons repositioned themselves, our Armed Drill Team—led by Cadet Ensign Danna Hernandez Madrid—prepared for their performance of a modified drill card. A special shout out was given to Cadet Chief Hailey Tierney and Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Ethan Cruz for their contributions as commanders to the other drill teams. Following their outstanding performance, the closing ceremony was just about to begin. All of the platoon commanders formed their platoons properly and awaited the command to proceed.
Before our Pass and Review, our unit Command Master Chief, Kevin Cantoral Madrid, led our dedicated unit in a powerful motivation check, shouting out a loud and proud “Hoo-Rah” with determination to show Mr. Washington our devotion. Upon the approval from Mr. Washington, we began our Pass and Review Ceremony. Platoon Commanders excitedly commanded their platoons with the proper drill movements necessary to set them up for what was to come.
The Pass and Review Ceremony then began. Cadet Commander Ryan Martin led the triad forward, followed by the color guard under Samantha Horth’s command. Each platoon executed proper drill movements in sequence:
- Alpha Platoon: Commander Chasiti Bobet-Diaz
- First Platoon: Commander Katherine Chepel
- Second Platoon: Commander Derek Miller
- Third Platoon: Commander Patrick Williams
- Fourth Platoon: Commander Danna Hernandez Madrid
- Fifth Platoon: Commander Finlay King
Re-entering the gym, the triad, platoon commanders, and guidons positioned themselves for the final report out to Mr. Washington. This AMI was one of a kind, a truly outstanding job was done on this day. The cadets savored these moments, taking in the faces, the words, and the tears. They made priceless memories together, moments that wouldn’t be made again for a long time. They made the most of that day.
Afterall, AMI comes but once a year.
Our senior Cadets’ hearts are full of pride and sorrow, as the passing of the biggest event of ROTC—AMI—signifies the start of a bittersweet ending. Some choose to leave behind words of wisdom for future generations of Brewster NJROTC. The Unit Command Master Chief, also known of the CMC, Kevin Cantoral Madrid expressed his everlasting gratitude, with the following: “As a senior, it was a different perspective as it was when I was an underclassman in a platoon. I now see the entire battalion and all the growth and progression from the unit since I was a freshman. It’s truly amazing what we’ve accomplished. I’m honored to be a part of this unit. I’m glad I was able to make an impact and I’ll forever love Brewster NJROTC.”
Our Unit Supply Officer, Arianna Clancy, relived the days before her final AMI, by recalling: “I started off the day so nervous for inspection and the brief and I couldn’t wait to get it over with but I was glad it was at least my last one. But once the ceremony ended I realized how it really wasn’t bad and that this time next year I think I’ll miss it and I was happy that I had a slightly bigger role in it.”
Saving the best for last, our unit Commanding Officer, Ryan Martin, said his farewell to his outstanding unit with these words of pride: “I’m really happy with the way this AMI went. Everyone did an amazing job and I can’t wait to see what the next couple of years can do.”
This author would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Operations Department for their hard work and dedication to our unit. Their tireless efforts during free periods and after-school hours ensured we were fully prepared for Mr. Washington’s visit. They went above and beyond to present our unit at its very best.
As a senior experiencing their final AMI, Operations Assistant Synder Portillo Soto expressed gratitude, saying, “NJROTC gave me a sense of purpose for my life. This whole program shaped me into who I am today. You truly meet the greatest people.”
Our Operations Officer, Skyler Tierney, had worked tirelessly to prepare our unit across all departments. Her dedication and leadership have been instrumental in securing our title of Distinguished Unit with Honors. Skyler propelled the unit further than we ever thought possible, inspiring our 185 cadets to strive not just for excellence but for greatness.
As her time with us comes to an end, Cadet Lieutenant Skyler Tierney leaves us with these parting words: “For many students at BHS, ROTC may seem like a silly club, but for me, it has been a safe haven for almost four years. The hardest part of saying goodbye isn’t the end itself, but the realization that I won’t be able to relive these moments for the first time again.” Her reflection underscores how profoundly this program has impacted her life.
For me, this AMI was an awakening. I realized that this will be the last one with my sister, Skyler. After this, I would be enduring all the tears, stress, and planning by myself. I didn’t know if I was ready for it, but I knew that no matter what, I was going to have to be.
Hoo-Rah!