The cadets, under the mentorship of Capt. Jesse-Lee Fontanilla, assistant professor of military science in the UOG ROTC program, spent the week leading the Junior ROTC cadets at Tinian High School in physical fitness and field training exercises and offering guidance for college preparation.

“The Tinian trip taught me that there are many different ways to reach the same goal and that you need to be able to translate what you’re teaching for different audiences,” said sophomore UOG Cadet Gavin Whitt, a 2020 graduate of Simon Sanchez High School now majoring in secondary education. “This will help me as a future Army officer because there is never just one way to teach and explain something.”

The trip was also an opportunity for the cadets to develop cultural competencies and learn about the unique culture and hospitable people of Tinian.

“Living on Guam my whole life, I had no idea of what to expect from the island of Tinian,” said sophomore UOG Cadet Lidio Fullo, a 2020 graduate of Tiyan High School now majoring in psychology. “When I arrived, it was not long until I gained quite a liking to Tinian as the food was amazing, the waters were clear, the island was clean, and most importantly, the people were very welcoming.”

Similarly, UOG Cadet Gohan Calunan, a 2019 graduate of Simon Sanchez High School, said learning the culture of the island was one of his favorite parts.

Other UOG cadets on the trip were Gabriel Aguon, Joseph Aquino, Noel Degracia, Gabriel Magallano, Gavin Pangelinan, Amarah San Nicolas, Jude Tenorio, Elaine Cases, Berwyn Ednaco, Jeffrey Seo, Chloe Miranda, and Napu Cruz.

The cadets traveled roundtrip from Guam to Saipan courtesy of United miles provided by the Research Corporation of the University of Guam, and then the cadets traveled via ferry roundtrip from Saipan to Tinian. The cadets slept in the Tinian High School gym, and the meals and ferry costs were paid for by donations from alumni of the UOG ROTC program.

Lt. Col. Thomas Anderson, the professor of military science at the University of Guam, hailed the support of RCUOG Executive Director Cathleen Moore-Linn, UOG President Thomas Krise, and the UOG ROTC alumni for making the mission happen.

“I’m just so proud of the UOG ROTC alumni for stepping up and supporting the cadets, who are in the same shoes the alumni once were,” Anderson said. “Great ROTC programs have alumni who give back to their ROTC home — hooah!”

The UOG ROTC program was established in October 1979 and has commissioned more than 450 dynamic leaders for Guam, the Pacific, and the United States of America.