U.S. Naval Sea Cadets gain leadership, character skills in training at MTSU

As part of a construction build, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps participants utilize tools to get the job done on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., recently. From ages 10 to 18, attendees from 46 units came from across the U.S. to attend the various sessions. (Submitted photo)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Young people in military uniforms have been maneuvering about the Middle Tennessee State University campus since June 6, participating in team building and leadership training.

The university hosted nearly 90 U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps members from 46 units nationwide for 14 days on campus with construction and other activities and in Nashville learning basic and advanced scuba skills.

U.S. Naval Sea Cadets including Callie Scott-Sines of Fayetteville, N.C., participate in a training pistols class working on draw strokes from holsters recently during the session held on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. From scuba diving in Nashville, Tenn., to a construction build, the participants, ages 10 to 18, learned valuable leadership skills. (Submitted photo)

Rachel Wright of Murfreesboro, a lieutenant junior grade officer and one of numerous U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps adult leaders — Rachel Wright

The mission “is to build leaders of character,” said Rachel Wright of Murfreesboro, a lieutenant junior grade officer and one of numerous adult leaders in the well-organized corps consisting of members age 10 to 18. To learn more, visit www.seacadets.org.

Sea Cadets rotated in and out during the two weeks and many attended graduation ceremonies on campus outside Student Union and in the Jim Cummings Hall lobby.

Participants can qualify for ROTC scholarships or the military academies, said Wright, who added, “this gives them a head start.”

Nina Dotres, 18, of Punta Gorda, Florida, a chief petty officer. — Nina Dotres

Nina Dotres, 18, of Punta Gorda, Florida, plans to attend a prep school in New Mexico for the Merchant Marine Academy. She has spent five years in the program.

“It has been an experience,” said Dotres, a chief petty officer. “I wanted to be an actress when I was younger, but this has filled me with a purpose. It can be very stressful. Pressure builds diamonds. I have been able to grow from where I was.”

John Burkett, 16, of Bay Minette, Alabama, a rising junior at Baldwin County High School, said the program “has helped me build my leadership skills and come out of my comfort zone.” He said he wants to go into the U.S. Navy and be a gunner’s mate.

Homeschooled, rising junior Caleb Wren, 16, of Spring Hill, wants to pursue the military by joining the U.S. Marine Corps.

“There have been a lot of learning opportunities, leadership skills and knowledge about the military,” said Wren, who added he is physically much stronger because of the program.

Two Metro Nashville Police Department officers taught a master at arms law enforcement class. One of the cadets’ assignments was to build a damage control station to simulate a boat leaking.

Wright said the Nashville unit drills overnight once a month at the Tennessee Army National Guard complex in Smyrna.

The MTSU visit by the Sea Cadets wraps up Thursday, June 19.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)