Log in

Williams: Navy ROTC students learned, trained on Hawaii trip

Posted

After many years of anticipation in Apache Junction High School’s storied Navy Junior Reserve Officer Corps training program, the day had finally come where I, along with seven of my graduating classmates loaded up all our luggage, uniform items, physical training gear, bathing suits, sunscreen etc., for what would essentially be the culmination of a lot of hard work and education (formal and otherwise). History told us this trip would surely not disappoint.

We gathered at the school’s NJROTC building just prior to midnight to ensure we all had everything prior to driving to San Diego and taking an early morning flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. With none of us cadets having been to Hawaii, the suspense through the drive and flight was incredible.

Once we touched down, and dropped off our gear at our Airbnb located at the world-famous Waikiki Beach, we spent the next five days and four nights enjoying all manner of things to include: USS Arizona Memorial and museum, USS Bowfin and Museum, USS Utah, USS Missouri, Pacific Air Museum and STEM building (courtesy of Ratheon), Ford Island, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, Diamond Head, North Shore (Shark’s Cove), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Joint base Pearl Harbor and Hickam, firefighting and much, much more.

We engaged in a variety of activities to include physical fitness, hikes, shopping, volleyball on the beach, local cuisine (loved the shaved ice), climbing lava rock waterfalls and other touristy items.

The best part of the trip for me personally had to be running up and down the tropical mountain of Diamond Head Crater, where cadets and instructors did pushups, pull ups and sit ups at the summit all while enjoying the most stunning sunrise I’ve ever seen.

We were privileged to acquaint ourselves with many unique and historically significant military bases and stand in awe of the sacrifices those folks made on my behalf.

I can attest to the beauty and solemn recognition of the USS Arizona Memorial, which was truly a powerful and emotionally moving experience.

The unequaled military feats achieved by the USS Bowfin, the symbolism of the terms of surrender signed aboard the USS Missouri which ushered an end to the World War II.

Like the rest of the cadets, I had never been to Hawaii but for the majority of cadets it was their first time seeing the ocean or even leaving the state, which made this trip all the more special.

No cadet returned to the mainland without a souvenir and memories that will last a lifetime.

The flight and drive back to Arizona was filled with music and rejoicing but admittedly an underlying sorrow as we knew this very valuable experience was coming to an end.

In the end, it was an experience for the history books and one that every cadet in the program eagerly looks forward to in their senior year.

I would like to thank our instructors, the Navy, Apache Junction Unified School District, our parents and the community for making such a trip possible.

As my time here comes to an end and I continue my adventure at Ohio State University through an ROTC scholarship worth $250,000, I leave knowing what I’ve been given and I trust many more young people will follow in my footsteps, reaping the benefits of all Apache Junction High School has to offer.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in a nationally recognized program, please contact Apache Junction High School or Lt. Cmdr. Gary Lock (Ret.) directly at glock@goaj.org.

Brady Williams
Cadet/LCDR
Company commander
AJHS NJROTC