May 2025 - A Celebration of Excellence
- Kenyatta Stanford
- May 12
- 2 min read
This past weekend marked the final drill of the season for Division Nine One One and what a way to close it out!
The weekend culminated in a formal graduation and awards ceremony at the U.S. Military Entrance and Processing Command (MEPCOM) Headquarters. Families, staff, and cadets gathered in the 3rd floor auditorium to honor the achievements, growth, and perseverance of our youth leaders in uniform.
We bid a heartfelt fairwinds and following seas to our graduating seniors, PO1 Peterson Soulè, PO3 Christopher Lake, and SA Anthony Roman, as they move on to the next chapter of their journeys. Their leadership, commitment, and example have made a lasting impact on this division.
Several cadets earned promotions, including three who advanced to the esteemed rank of Chief Petty Officer. Congratulations CPO Marcus Davis-Wooten, CPO Euan Lacey, and CPO Daniel Proa! Their rise reflects not only hard work and consistency, but also deep alignment with the USNSCC core values of honor, respect, and commitment. Additionally, four cadets earned promotion to Petty Officer ranks, a milestone that marks growing responsibility and leadership potential.
Among the highest honors awarded were:
The Navy League of the United States Theodore Roosevelt Youth Award, presented to CPO Euan Lacey and LC PO1 James Keyser, whose energy, competitive spirit, and dedication stood out.
The Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Cadet Medal, awarded to CPO Daniel Proa, whose excellence in academics, leadership, and discipline was exemplary.
We also recognized INDOC graduates, as well as those who achieved perfect attendance over the season. Each award, each promotion, and each milestone reflects the effort, not just of the cadets, but of the families, volunteers, and staff who support them week in and week out.
As the ceremony concluded, we were reminded of the remarkable discipline, poise, and pride our cadets carry. They stood tall in front of their families and mentors, proudly serving the Nine One One Division.
On Sunday, cadets had the unique opportunity to visit a galley at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes. During the tour, they explored both the chow hall and the industrial kitchen spaces where thousands of meals are prepared daily for active duty sailors. From food prep stations to massive cooking equipment, cadets saw first-hand the scale and coordination it takes to keep the fleet fed. The tour ended with cadets enjoying lunch in the galley - getting a true taste of navy life!
Following lunch at the galley, cadets preparing for Summer Advanced Training took time to confirm their seabags were complete. While this was underway, the rest of the unit enjoyed some well-earned liberty at Constitution Field. It was a perfect balance of play and productivity, demonstrating the camaraderie of the Nine One One division.