The Newport Plain Talk

Cocke County NJROTC cadets flew cost-free to Norfolk, Va., via Navy aircraft for a visit to the U.S. Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit Two in Fort Story, Va.

The purpose of the visit was two fold. The primary objective was to subject the cadets to various teambuilding exercises, which tested physical and mental strength as well as the ability to work under extreme pressure. The secondary purpose of the visit was to expose the cadets to the precarious world of the explosives ordinance technician.

The teambuilding exercises were composed of various physically demanding tasks requiring close coordination, clear communication and uncompromising teamwork. At one point in the training the cadets were roused out of their sleep at midnight and taken on a three-mile jaunt along the seashore.

"Anyone who has ever run on a sandy beach will tell you it is not easy", exclaimed Genia Evans, the Unit's Assistant Supply Officer. "We did it for three miles. I felt exhausted, but exhilarated at the same time. I wouldn't trade that experience for a million bucks."

"They woke me up at midnight and made us run for what seemed like forever," said Crystal Haney. "We didn't finish our exercise till 4 a.m. I thought my legs were going to fall off. I was sandy. I was sweaty. I was tired. But I finished. My whole team was proud of our accomplishment!

The EOD technicians initiated their period of instruction by providing a firearms safety brief. Under the watchful eye of the EOD instructors, the cadets were permitted to handle M-16, and AK-7 assault rifles. The cadets were allowed to feed a number of magazines with blank ammunition and then fire the blanks under controlled supervision.

"Even though they are firing blanks, this demonstration shows the cadets just how dangerous fire arms can be, and that extreme diligence must be exercised in the handling of all weapons" said Naval Diver David Jones, one of the course instructors. "This is a lesson they should carry with them throughout their lives. I think they all came away with a thorough appreciation of what these weapons can do and that fire arms safety is no small matter."

The technology demonstration with the newest generation of EOD robotics was also a hit with the cadets. Cadets were allowed to remotely control the robots as they maneuvered the mechanical wonders through an obstacle course.

"We played with them like they were expensive toys, but in the real world they are lifesavers," said cadet Paige Miller.

"These robots are equipped with sensors that can determine if an object is safe or not. These robots can carry TV cameras and provide vital information to EOD technicians or anyone else from a safe distance. At $300,000 a piece, these are not household toys."

And as usual, it would have been a great let-down if the cadets visited the EOD unit and nothing went boom. The cadets watched a C-4 demonstration, as technicians prepared a charge for their visitors' delight. The cadets watched from a very safe distance, and one lucky cadet was afforded the opportunity to hit the detonation plunger. With the loud boom, and a cloud of dust lingering in the air, the cadets were gleeful as the demonstration in controlled mayhem thundered through the test area.

The cadets learned much from this trip to Forty Story, Va. First, they learned a little bit about themselves, and how much they can endure. They learned a lot about teamwork and communication. And of course they learned about firearm safety and the capabilities of some of our finest units in the armed forces. They all enjoyed themselves...even while they were doing push-ups in the sand at 2:30 in the morning.

In addition to the team building exercises and introduction to the EOD unit, the cadets were treated to a ships visit. The cadets traveled to Little Creek, Va., to board the USS Gunston Hall, one of the newer amphibious ships in the U.S. Navy. In addition to an in-depth briefing in the Command and Control Center, the cadets took an extended tour of the rest of the ship, which included the berthing spaces, the engine rooms, and the weather decks. The cadets were treated to dinner in the galley before shoving off back to the EOD unit.