Three current and former Nease NJROTC cadets recently crossed paths at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, during their individual summer training programs.
Michaela Heinrich, Nease NJROTC class of 2016, is the academy’s summer cadet battalion commander directing the intensive eight-week training program for the incoming class of more than 300 new cadets or “swabs” as they are affectionately called in New London.
Erin Sass, Nease NJROTC class of 2019, is undergoing a three-week orientation regimen along with 66 others as part of the Coast Guard Academy Scholars Program. Sass will then depart for one year attending the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, Rhode Island, before receiving a direct appointment to the academy the following year.
Teagen Pettit, Nease NJROTC class of 2020, is attending the Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission one-week summer program where she is fully learning about academy life with hopes of receiving and appointment next year. AIM is regarded as the most realistic of the service academy summer orientation programs.
“I absolutely love it here,” Heinrich said. “I hope this is the beginning of a pipeline of Nease NJROTC cadets coming to the (Coast Guard) Academy.”
Sass, who turned down an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a full Navy ROTC Scholarship, echoed Heinrich’s words.
“After attending AIM last year, and touring Coast Guard Air Station Savannah and getting underway aboard the Cutter Sawfish, I can’t imagine anything except becoming a Coast Guard officer,” Sass said.
Pettit certainly has two mentors to follow.
“Both Michaela and Erin were battalion commanders in NJROTC,” Pettit said. “They’ve proved that putting forth the hard work in high school can payoff down the road. I hope to receive an appointment next year as well.”
In addition to the Coast Guard Academy, Nease has NJROTC six graduates currently attending the U.S. Naval Academy (3), U.S. Air Force Academy (2) and U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1).
