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| VIEW FROM THE CROWSNEST THE OFFICIAL #189 NLCC OROMOCTO NEWS LETTER VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3 MARCH 2001 FROM THE CAPTAIN’S CABIN: ( MID (NL) AR BERESFORD CPSM, CD, COMMANDING OFFICER, 357-7463 ) The greatest rewards so far have come from the cadets themselves; they are probably the keenest bunch of people I have met. Because there are no senior cadets yet, we are employing a class leadership method combined with small party tasks. Drill classes now end with cadets taking turns giving words of command. The best thing I saw, or should I say heard, was the first time a cadet gave a crisp, sharp word of command and the cadets moved and called the time in unison. Got to like that! Also the cadets have a strong grasp of the nightly routine. Other positive feedback has come from the parents and more direct help has been the spin-off. For anyone starting a new corps, or any other community group for that matter, I would recommend that you get a contact list made up immediately and a regular phone call be made to each individual. The calls should be delegated to the Divisional or Watch Officers through a fan out method. This serves two purposes: first is the passage of timely information and the second is now considered a quality of life issue. It lets them know that someone cares to see how they are doing if absent and that they are important to the corps. Also, don’t be afraid to “Show the Flag”, or sometimes wave it when it comes to fund raising. Canvassing for funds or donation of equipment or services is not begging! You should offer to do some work for the donation in some way that all members can participate. In that way it shows that you are willing to earn your keep. Some methods are community service, and opening service Colour Parties for sports and other organized ceremonies. Another point is establishing a routine immediately. Even without a training syllabus a great number of lectures and performance objectives can be met by walking through a nightly routine, learning each step and it’s significance. The OROMOCTO Cadets already understand the significance, performance and usage of Routine Orders, Falling In, Roll Call, Colours, Ship’s Time and bells, Bosun Pipes, Gunners’ Pipes, Chain of Command, Stand Easy, Sunset, Defaulters, and Duty Watch. I found a wealth of information on the Internet at both the National Navy League Site at www.navyleague.ca and by just searching “HMCS”. You have to keep the Cadets interested. At age 10-12 they do not have the same concentration as an older cadet or adult. If your teaching fire orders, get the fire safety instructor to come down from the local fire hall. While it is unfortunate that the deal with the Base Fitness Center fell through due to a conflict of timings, other fun activities are being arranged .If you have any ideas for local training contact me at home or after cadets. EXECUTIVE BRIEFS: ( CF VOL. CPL H M VAN DER POL , EXECUTIVE OFFICER, 357-0984) Well, first I have to say that I'm proud of every cadet in this corps, everyone has worked very hard, and every body can see the big steps we have taken. You all deserve a big pat on the back. It has been brought to my attention, however, that a small number of cadets feel like they can talk back to any of the officers. Knowing that we are a great corps, I expect that I will not hear about this anymore or disciplinary actions will be taken. There's only one little problem I would like to address, I would like to remind all Cadets that the only thing to be consumed during classes is pop, I do not want to see any cadet eating during classes, mainly because you can't eat and pay attention, and with the able cadet exams coming soon every cadet should strive to get that promotion. Any mess left behind is the responsibility of the watch petty officers. If it cannot be controlled they will be tasked to cleanup themselves after dismissal. Overall I'm very happy with all the cadet’s performances, and like to say again, keep up the good work. Ready, Aye Ready! OPS and TRAINING: ( A/SLT (NL) RJ HANSEN, TRAINING OFFICER, 357-6422 ) Make and Mends Weekend: If uniforms show up in time we are planning an over night training plan for the issue of uniforms. It will involve learning how to wash, iron, sew, and polish the equipment. A $30 refundable deposit will be required at the time of issue. A kit list will be sent out the Thursday prior to St Patrick’s Day. In celebration of this event we are attempting to get the Maritime Club Lounge for a dance. Cpl Chris McNee has volunteered to DJ for free. It will most likely be on 16 March, with classes the following day. Overnight accommodations are being sought. It will be Bring Your Own Sleeping Bag! More to follow. Able Cadet Exams: These will be held in early April for their first chevron. We are following the same training schedule as the Corps out west. A study guide is in the works for the cadets. NB Division Adventure Training Weekend: We have been invited on an adventure training weekend with #170 NLCC R.C. Cromwell from Quispamsis on April 20-22 weekend at camp Holderville on the Kingston Peninsula. It will be held in a scout camp by a lake. It has 1 main kitchen building and 2 out buildings. As it stands now some money will be required to purchase rations but transport should be arranged through our parents group. We would require approximately 6 mini vans and a truck. 5 volunteers have come forward so far! Battle of Atlantic Parade St. John: We will be arranging to participate in the St. John observances of Battle of Atlantic along with our sister corps RCSCC Nipigon. This is held the first Sunday in May. We will be requiring the use of multiple Mini vans in order to allow everyone to participate. More to Follow. SHIPS’ WRITER: ( CI DA ALLEN, ADMIN O , 472-1150 ) Complete Aplication Forms: Some cadets are still outstanding for missing information sheets. Uniforms will not be issued to these cadets until all forms are returned, nor will they be allowed to participate in any sports or overnight training. Drill Night Location: Our new Ship’s Office is located in the cloak room of the Maritime Club. This will give us the room to store routine administrative and training aids and help us become better organized. No cadets are to enter without permission. Enrolment: Since last meeting we have lost one Cadet, enrolled two replacements, and one is on the waiting list. The officer cadre has one male NB DIV warranted officer, one female AB DIV warranted officer, two male Regular Force volunteers, one female CIC (Sea) officer volunteer, two female civilian instructors, and one female Army Cadet volunteer sail instructor. E-MAIL, PO BOX MAIL, and CORPS PHONE NUMBER: The Corps’ official E-Mail address is: nlccoromocto@webmail.navyleague.ca . This is at no cost to the corps. The official PO Box address is: Commanding Officer, NLCC #189 OROMOCTO, CFB/ASU GAGETOWN, PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES, OROMOCTO NB, E2V 4J5. This is at no cost to the Corps. The official contact number for the Corps is 1-877-263-6320. This costs 15 cents a minute and is being paid for by the CO. This number can be transferred to another phone on the occasion of a change of command. Cadets and parents are requested to follow normal chain of command and use domestic phone lines. NLCC #189 Oromocto Web Site: A web site is now in the developmental stages to better present our Corps and cause to the public. It will talk about the NLC program, include the Corps Newsletters, Training Syllabus and Schedule, Include the Naval history of New Brunswick and Bay of Fundy Region, A Knowledge test, Links to multiple learning and other Navy and Cadet oriented sites, our sponsor pages, and how to contact us. Cadets will be allowed to compete to place articles on the web site. We are expecting to officially launch it the Battle of Atlantic weekend. No.1 NAVAL STORES: ( CIC LT(N) DA STAPLEFORD, STORES O, 450-6122 ) Uniforms: The first request for 30 uniforms was submitted early in January at a combined cost of roughly $3600. The National Contractor was changed as of 1 Jan 2001. There is now a new order form with new prices. Uniforms should be in before the end of Feb. A proposal was granted to finish outfitting the two NL warranted officers, and enroll the two cadets waiting to join. This will cost $ 150.00 for the officers and $240.00 for the cadets and is in progress. Scran Locker: The Cadets have requested a canteen for buying pop and chips during Stand Easy. After discussions with the Maritime Club President we will be allowed to operate one in the building as long as we only sell to Cadets, Staff, and Corps Visitors on regular training nights. A location has been found in the old cloakroom for a storage locker. Proceeds from this will be used to defray the costs of Cadet Party Functions or Fun Nights. To enhance their fund it was suggested that a weekly cash recyclable collection could take place and a treat be given to the Watch that brings in the most that week. Loose nickels could be brought in lieu of recyclables if the cadets cash them in first. To date in three weeks it has already raised over $250 thanks largely to the generous contributions of many area businesses and individuals. A list will be published next month. Current Navy Badge Board: We have received an anonymous donation of most of the Navy’s current rank and trade badges. They will be assembled for display and as use as a training aid. SPORTS TABLOID: ( CI JA HILLS, SPORTS O, 357-0003) BASE FITNESS CENTER: An e-mail was sent to Neil Mackenzie at the Base Fitness Center. Rules that govern our Corps are that as we are not a DND entity and therefore cannot use the Gym free of charge. However the times we required were already booked so other arrangements will have to be made. This is still in progress. SPONSORS and PATRONS: ( OROMOCTO BRANCH, NAVY LEAGUE of CANADA PRESIDENT E MURDOCK, 458-9692) Fund raising; The Oromocto Community 2000 Lions Club hosted our first Annual Bingo for the Corps on 17 Feb 2001 at RCL BR 93. $1052 was raised on the Corps behalf. Many thanks go out to all of you who put the effort in. Unfortunately, the amount could have been more if returns had been made in a more timely fashion. In addition, chocolate bar sales for the Oromocto Navy League Branch Fund have been very successful with our corps alone raising $640. Of this we are still outstanding $144 in late returns. It has been suggested that the corps could put together a recipe book to sell for additional funds and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation has offered a prize package that may be of use for a silent auction. Another Tag Day will most likely be held in the late spring this year in order to ease start up costs. All cadets are expected to participate where possible. HELPFUL LINKS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB Animated Knots www3.sympatico.ca/lar.richardson/nlknots.htm Morse Code www.babbage.demon.co.uk/morse.html Real Knots www.realknots.com/knots/index.htm Signal Flags www.wallaby.co.uk/no-frames/light-relief/semaphore/sema.html Safe Boat Handling Guide www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/mar.htm Navy League Learning Pages www3.sympatico.ca/lar.richardson/nlindex.htm MAGNIFICENT SQUADRON www.oocities.org/magsquad/ NLCC # 9 A.N. MORRIS www.twistedpair.sk.ca/~anmorris/nl NLCC # 21 CAPT JACKSON www.nlcccaptjackson.ca NLCC #48 MIC MAC www.oocities.org/Pentagon/Bunker/4698 NLCC #55 C.B. HILL www.nlcccbhill.ab.ca |
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