Centennial High School’s JROTC cadets have been preparing for the first personnel inspection of the school year.
For many cadets, it will be the first ever inspection, knowing that a large majority of the students are new to the program. Taking into consideration that this is the initial inspection, the end product should be a demonstration of overachievement. Therefore, much planning and preparation are required.
With NJROTC being a military-based discipline program, the students are referred to as cadets. As for inspection, the cadets are reviewed every week and examined carefully, and graded based on the impressions, appearance, and responses to questions regarding Navy knowledge.
The inspection results go in the grade book as a summative because it is a test. 80 percent of the grade is determined by the physical appearance of the combination of hair, face, and service uniform. The other part is about the presentation when answering during the interrogations.
According to Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Metra, During the inspection, “It’s not necessarily scary…over time I’ve learned to overcome the nerves with confidence.”
With that being said, it can be intimidating but that flustered feeling does not last forever, but to conquer the anxious feelings, practicing is a big help.
To help the trainees get ready for these inspections, senior cadets hold personal ‘G.U.P.P.I.E.’ parties the night prior, to ensure the trainees earn a good grade for the inspection. ‘G.U.P.P.I.E.’ is an acronym for, ‘Group Uniform Preparation Personnel Inspection Entertainment.’
At these events, the cadets get their service uniform in regulation by washing, ironing, and detailing. The students also practice their knowledge by studying information like ‘Orders to the Sentry’ and ‘Chain of Command’.
As told by Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class Mapps, “Guppies are very productive because they not only help new cadets get ready for inspection but they help form the older cadets into the best leadership for the platoon.”
After all this preparation, the cadets go to school the following day to get inspected. During an inspection, there is a specific way that introduces oneself to the inspector, this is called sounding off.
As performed by one of the cadets, Riley Leavitt, the proper way to sound off is, “Good Morning Sir, Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Leavitt standing by for inspection.” After the inspections, many of the cadets earn scores above 80%. Given that the cadets spent much of their time striving to receive such high scores, not only do the cadets feel accomplished but their superiors are left proud to see that they have led their cadets to success.