MSgt Moto

December 21st, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Many people convince themselves that when the moment matters most, they will somehow “flip the switch” and perform at a higher level. That belief is comforting…but it is FALSE. When pressure hits, we don’t rise to the challenge; we default to our training, our routines, and our discipline…or the lack of them.

That reality is why the pursuit of becoming our best self is never finished. Comfort is easy. Growth is not. In the Marine Corps, one of the 11 Leadership Principles reminds us to “Know yourself and seek self-improvement.” That principle exists because honest self-assessment is Uncomfortable—and necessary. Leaders don’t avoid the mirror; they confront it.

So I challenge you to pause and be brutally honest with yourself. If you truly wanted to improve—physically, mentally, academically, or emotionally—what would you do differently? What habit would you tighten? What weakness would you stop ignoring?

Now comes the hard part: Do It. EXECUTE!

As you head into winter break, I’m not asking for perfection. I’m asking for DISCIPLINE. Choose one small action each day:

Read ten pages.
Do a short workout.
Review notes for the second semester.
Set your alarm and get up with purpose to add value

Nothing giant. Nothing flashy. Just proof that when structure fades, You Don’t.

Remember—Discipline isn’t built when someone is watching. It’s built when no one is. Stay sharp. Stay intentional. And come back better than you left. You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

December 14th, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

AMI is behind us. To all those cadets who stepped up to the challenge, Job Well Done! A huge Thank You to those who woke up early the next day to represent at the Riverside National Cemetery. I’m proud to call you one of my Motivated Cadets :)

Today’s MSgt Moto focuses on Self-Confidence. What is self-confidence? The dictionary says it is trust in your own abilities, qualities, and judgment. If that’s true, then a lack of self-confidence really comes down to one thing: A Lack of Trust in Yourself.

So let me ask you—do you trust yourself? If not, have you ever stopped to ask why? Here’s a hard truth: the only person who has heard every promise you’ve ever made—and every excuse you’ve ever given—is YOU. Every time you said you’d do better, work harder, show up earlier, or quit cutting corners… and didn’t—you were listening. Over time, broken promises to yourself weaken your confidence. Not because you’re incapable, but because your word stopped carrying weight.

That “wishy-washy” feeling? That’s not weakness.... it’s self-betrayal. But here’s the turning point.

What if, starting today, the words you speak became a covenant (a relationship of commitment) with yourself? What if your word meant something again—because you decided that you would rather stand in HONOR keeping it, than live in DISHONOR breaking it?

That’s how self-confidence is built. Not through talk. Not through talent alone.
But through keeping your word—especially when it’s hard. And in case no one has ever told you this clearly and directly: Your past does not define your future.

Just because you used to be a certain way…Just because you used to quit, procrastinate, doubt yourself, or fall short…does not mean that’s who you must remain. You can change. You are allowed to change. And you have the power to change—right now.

Because the point of power is always in the present moment. Right here. Right now. You always have a choice to Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right.
Make that choice often enough, and confidence will follow. Cadets—this challenge is real, but so are you. You are capable. You are stronger than you think. And I believe in you. Now go prove it—to yourself.

December 7th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Whether you were Battlecats digging in and giving everything you had at the Pacifica Drill Meet, Scholarcats sharpening your minds and pushing through every question at Point Loma’s Brain Brawl, or those who woke up early to serve the community at La Ladera Park’s kids’ running club — every one of you showed commitment, heart, and integrity.

I am genuinely proud of those cadets who seize every opportunity — not for recognition, but to build self-discipline, unselfishness, and reliability. I am proud of those who don’t make excuses about why something can’t be done; instead, they find the courage to try, no matter the outcome. I am proud of those who show up — even when it’s hard, even when it would be easier to stay home — because they know their presence matters to their brothers, their sisters, and the Company.

As we look ahead to this Friday’s Annual Military Inspection, I challenge you to bring that same spirit of excellence. Let’s lock in, stand tall, and show our parents and community the discipline, unity, and pride that define the Mighty Wildcat Company.

Thank you for your dedication — now, let’s attack these days leading to our AMI. We can do it. I believe in us.

November 29, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Here’s a simple truth: If you only do what’s easy, life will get harder. But if you choose to do what’s hard, life will get easier. That’s not just a cool quote—it's a real law of life.

Think about it. Your brain is built to keep you comfortable. It avoids pain, discomfort, challenge—anything that feels tough. That’s why it tries to talk you into staying in bed when your alarm goes off, skipping PT, or waiting for the “perfect moment” that never actually comes.

So sometimes the biggest enemy isn’t outside forces, other people, or bad luck. Sometimes the real battle is in your own head. Your mind will always negotiate with you: “Do it later… rest a little more… you can skip today…” And every time you give in, you train yourself to stay the same—no growth, no progress.

But here’s the good news: you are not weak, and you are not broken. You’re a cadet. You just haven’t learned one of the most important leadership skills yet—how to lead your own mind.

And that starts with choosing the harder right over the easier wrong. Every time you push past comfort, you’re building discipline. Every time you do the work even when you don’t feel like it, you’re getting stronger. And every time you lead yourself, you’re preparing to lead others.

Choose the challenge. Choose the growth. Choose to lead your mind—because the cadet who can lead themselves can lead anyone. You got this! I believe in You.

November 23rd 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In my opinion every great NJROTC unit is built on three things: Leadership, Pride, and Accountability. Together, they form the standard. Having high standards is something we always talk about. Standards define who we are.

Leadership begins with example. You can’t lead others until you’re willing to lead yourself. The way you speak, train, and carry yourself sets the tone for those around you. People may forget what you say, but they’ll never forget what you show them through your actions.

Team pride is what binds us together. It’s the reason we push harder, hold each other to higher standards, and take ownership of our performance. Pride isn’t about arrogance—it’s about honor. It’s knowing that every move you make represents something greater than yourself.

And accountability is what keeps it all grounded. It’s the understanding that leadership and pride mean nothing without responsibility. When things go wrong, you step up—not back. You admit mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward stronger than before.

When you live these three values—when you lead by example, carry team pride, and practice accountability—you don’t just wear the uniform. You earn it, every single day. Let’s live these values. We can do it, I believe in us.

November 16th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine

The most powerful form of leadership isn’t about giving orders or holding a title—it’s about setting the standard through your own actions. Every time you show up early, wear your uniform with pride, or give 100% when no one else is watching, you’re leading by example.

True leaders don’t ask others to do what they’re unwilling to do themselves. They set the tone. They inspire confidence not with words, but with consistency, discipline, and integrity. When your teammates see that you hold yourself to a higher standard, they’ll rise to meet it.

Leading by example also means accepting responsibility when things go wrong and giving credit when things go right. It means doing what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. Over time, your example becomes your legacy—something others will remember long after the moment has passed.

So, the next time you step onto the drill pad, into the classroom, or out onto the PT field, ask yourself: “What example am I setting right now?” Because in NJROTC—and in life—your example is your leadership.

November 12th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Let me first express my gratitude to all those who reached out to me wishing me a Happy Marine Corps Birthday and expressing appreciation for my veterans status on Veterans’ Day. Your sentiment means a lot to me.

For this week’s MSgt Moto I wanted to share with you my take on Accountability.

Accountability is the foundation of Trust, Discipline, and Leadership. It means owning your actions—good or bad—and refusing to make excuses. In NJROTC, Accountability isn’t just about showing up; it’s about showing up prepared. Showing up without a paper, something to write with, or a dead chromebook is unbecoming. If you are not able to show up prepared for yourself, that doesn’t spark confidence that you’ll show up prepared to assist your brother or sister in the program. Furthermore, Accountability is about doing what you said you’d do, even when no one is checking.

A true cadet doesn’t wait to be reminded or corrected—they take Responsibility from the start. When something goes wrong, they don’t point fingers; they look in the mirror. Because leaders who can’t hold themselves Accountable can’t expect others to follow them.

Accountability Builds Respect. It earns confidence. And it strengthens the bond between teammates who know they can count on each other when it matters most.

So, when you think about accountability, don’t just see it as a rule to follow—see it as a reflection of your character. Be the cadet others can depend on, not just when things are easy, but especially when they’re not. You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

November 2nd 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Last Saturday, we competed at a Drill Meet and performed well—but we could have done better. Afterward, I spoke about how we beat ourselves. How did that happen? Too much focus on self.

Cadets, there’s something powerful about being part of a team that stands for more than any one individual. In NJROTC, your team is your family in uniform. Not a perfect family, but family none-the-less. We share the same goals, wear the same colors, and carry the same pride. That pride is not about Ego—it’s about Unity.

Team Pride isn’t measured by trophies or applause. It’s about showing up for each other, giving your best effort, and never letting your teammates down. It means owning your role—no matter how big or small—and understanding that every cadet matters. It means setting aside personal frustrations or ego for the good of the team. Because when you hold back, when you make excuses, or when you let pride get in the way, you’re not just shortchanging yourself—you’re shortchanging your team.

When you take pride in your team, everything changes. You train harder. You hold yourself accountable. You lift up those around you. You stop waiting for motivation and become the motivation. You realize that your actions reflect not just on you, but on everyone who wears the same uniform.

True pride isn’t loud or boastful—it’s quiet confidence earned through sweat, discipline, and shared struggle. It’s the satisfaction of knowing you gave everything for the people standing next to you.

So as we move forward, remember: Team Pride isn’t something you feel—it’s something you prove. Every formation, every practice, every competition, every moment of effort is a chance to show who we are and what we stand for. Let’s do better—together. I believe in us, and I know what we’re capable of when we put the team first.

Oct 25, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine

One of the most important questions you can ask yourself as a cadet—and as a person...is this: What are you willing to struggle for?

Anything truly worthwhile—excellence, leadership, respect, success—comes with its share of challenges. There will always be early mornings, long practices, tough inspections, and moments when quitting seems easier than continuing. But the truth is, growth never happens in comfort. The struggle is what sharpens your discipline, strengthens your resolve, and shapes your character.

If you’re only chasing what feels easy or enjoyable, you’ll limit your potential. But if you learn to embrace the hard work, the setbacks, and even the failures that come with pursuing something meaningful, you’ll discover what you’re truly capable of.

As an NJROTC cadet, your struggle isn’t just about personal success—it’s about being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with your teammates, putting their needs ahead of your own, and leading by example even when no one’s watching. That’s what real leadership looks like.

The best leaders aren’t the ones who avoid struggle—they’re the ones who choose it for the sake of their team. They understand that true fulfillment doesn’t come from comfort or recognition, but from knowing they gave their all for a cause greater than themselves.

So, ask yourself again:
What are you willing to struggle for—and who are you willing to struggle for?
I believe your answer will define NOT only your success in this program, but the kind of leader—and person—you’ll become. Know that I’m rooting for you and am one of your biggest cheerleaders…You can do it cadets…I believe in you

Oct 19th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Cadets, excuses are the language of mediocrity. They sound convincing, they sound reasonable—but they build nothing. Too many people promise to give their best, yet fall short because they let excuses take the place of effort. Over time, they become skilled at explaining failure instead of learning from it.

But there’s another way—the way of leadership. Successful people, the kind who others respect and want to follow, take full responsibility for their actions and their results. They don’t waste energy blaming circumstances, teachers, teammates, or timing. They own their mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward.

Here’s the truth: you can go from failure to success—because failure teaches, shapes, and refines you. But you can never go from excuses to success—because excuses stop growth before it starts.

The world doesn’t reward talk; it rewards results. It honors those who show up, work hard, and do what they said they’d do—even when no one’s watching. When you dedicate yourself to serving others, to improving your team, and to doing every task with integrity and enthusiasm, success has no choice but to follow.

Be the cadet who looks for solutions, not someone who settles for excuses. Leaders lead by example—and that starts with accountability. Be the Leader I Believe You to Be! You can do it Cadets...I believe in You.

Oct 11th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Here is a heavy question for you: What do you truly want out of life—and what are you willing to give in return to earn it?

Just like in physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Life follows that same rule. You get out what you put in. When you give your best—Your Time, Your Energy, Your Focus—life rewards you. When you give halfway effort, you get halfway results. It’s that simple. Garbage in-Garbage out is another way to put it.

We have to realize that every goal worth chasing has a price tag. The greater the reward, the higher the cost. It demands Discipline when you’re the “T-word”, Persistence when it’s tough, and sometimes sacrifice when it’s not convenient.

But here’s what makes YOU different—you wear this uniform. You’ve already chosen a path that demands more of you. NJROTC is about building leaders who don’t back down from the price of Excellence. It’s about learning to serve others, to put the team before yourself, and to rise when others quit.

When you understand that success always requires something from you—when you look at the challenge, weigh the cost, and say, “It’s worth it”—you become unstoppable. That’s when you start to see just how far you can go.

So, don’t shy away from the work. Don’t hide from the struggle. Embrace it. Because what you give today—Your Effort, Your Focus, Your Heart—will shape not just your future, but the lives of those who follow your lead. So continue to Act Right, Be Right, & Do Right! I believe in you.

Oct 4th 2025

A Note to My Cadets who took up the Challenge of becoming a Battlecat:

Last Friday, you stood atop “Battlecat Hill” not as individuals who merely completed a training block, but as members of a brotherhood and sisterhood who conquered one of the most demanding challenges our unit has to offer—the Battlecat Indoctrination. What you’ve been through was not designed to be easy. It was designed to test you, to push you, and to teach you that the greatest rewards in life are earned through struggle, sweat, and persistence.

You’ve proven something important—when you take on something hard and refuse to quit, you gain far more than just a patch or a title. You gain RESILIENCE. You gain CONFIDENCE. You gain the understanding that when the next obstacle in life appears—and it will—you already know what it feels like to push past doubt and finish strong. Hard things shape you into strong people.

But you didn’t do it alone. You suffered together, you worked together, and you overcame together. Shared adversity forges a bond that cannot be created in comfort. When you look to your left and right, you’ll see teammates who bled, sweated, and endured the same battles you did. That bond is not temporary—it’s something that will last, because it was built on sacrifice, trust, and loyalty.

And here’s another truth: when you belong to something bigger than yourself, you learn to think less about “me” and more about “we.” Selfishness fades, because you realize the team only succeeds when every Cadet gives their best. That’s not just a lesson for a drill team—that’s a lesson for life.

Every attribute you’ve sharpened here will serve you long after you graduate and hang up this NJROTC uniform. Time management will keep you ahead of the game in college, work, and family life. Attention to detail will separate you from those who settle for “good enough.” Unselfishness will make you the kind of person others want to follow. Team-mindedness will make you invaluable in every career and community you’re part of. And Discipline—the backbone of success—will carry you through the moments when motivation runs out.

Cadets, completing Battlecat indoctrination is not the end of something. It is the beginning. It is proof that you are capable of facing hard things, of building bonds through adversity, and of shaping yourselves into leaders this world needs. Carry these lessons forward. Use them not just here, but in your future—because the habits you have built today will carry you further than you can imagine tomorrow.

Congratulations, Battlecats. You’ve earned it.

A special Thank You to the Battlecat Leadership & Veterans that led the training. You contributed to the Battlecat Legacy and your personal legacy by being the servant leader that invests in the future of our flagship team…The Battlecats!

Sept 29, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Science shows us that success starts with your thinking, but let me give you a story to make that real.

Two competitors were running the same course. Both stumbled at the same obstacle and fell hard in the dirt. The first person sat there, angry and embarrassed, telling himself, “I’m not cut out for this.” He carried that thought the rest of the run and finished weak.

The second person fell in the same spot, but his thought was different: “Good—this is my chance to prove I can get back up.” He pushed harder, finished strong, and earned respect.

The same event happened to both. The fall itself meant nothing—until they gave it meaning. One gave it the meaning of defeat, the other gave it the meaning of opportunity.

That’s the lesson: your thinking shapes the meaning, and the meaning shapes your outcome. Success begins in the mind long before it shows up in life. So let’s set out to be more aware of the thoughts we think and then be more deliberate and cautious with the meaning(s) we place on events. You can do it Cadets, I believe in YOU!

Sept 21st 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Here we are, stepping into week 7 of this wild school year. This is the week where the crowd starts to thin out. The beginning of any race is packed—everyone’s fired up, motivated, and ready to charge ahead. But now? Now is where reality sets in. Now is where the faint of heart start slowing down, second-guessing how badly they want to reach their goals. Doubt creeps in. Comfort zones start calling their name.

But listen to me: falling back into your comfort zone is NOT an option. Settling is not an option. Why? Because settling means you’re choosing to give up a piece of your potential. And you—each and every one of you—have better inside you. You have greatness inside you.

But greatness doesn’t come easy. It demands TENACITY. Webster defines tenacity as “the quality of being very determined.” That’s it—pure determination. The ability to look doubt in the eye and push forward anyway.

So don’t fade with the crowd. Don’t blend into the masses who give up when it gets tough. This week, I challenge you to dig deeper. Run your race with TENACITY. With DETERMINATION. With GRIT.

Yes—it’s going to be hard. Yes—it’s going to test you. But that’s exactly where growth lives—on the other side of hard. So embrace the grind. Embrace the suck. Push through. You’ve got it in you.

Cadets, I believe in you. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself.

BE STRONG

SEEK TO BE ACCOUNTABLE

Sept. 13th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Weak people hide from accountability. Why? Because accountability shines a light on their flaws. It takes away their excuses. It forces them to face the truth. And that’s uncomfortable.

But strong people — real leaders — they demand accountability. They don’t run from it, they run toward it. They understand that accountability isn’t punishment. It’s sharpening. It makes you more disciplined, more focused, more reliable.

Every time you step up and own your actions, you build trust. Every time you accept correction, you grow stronger. That’s how leaders are made — not by avoiding accountability, but by embracing it.

Leaders don’t fear accountability… they thrive on it. Because accountability doesn’t tear you down — it builds you into someone your team can count on, every single time.

So ask yourself...and answer honestly: are you hiding from accountability, or are you demanding it? Because that answer will determine whether you stay weak… or rise as a leader. Let's ALL rise like a Leader! We can do it Cadets, I believe in us.

DISCIPLINE

September 6th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Cadets, a negative mindset is more dangerous than a tired body—because negativity spreads fast. Just like a cold passes from person to person, so do bad attitudes. No one is completely immune to the influence of the group, and a unit will never rise higher than the standards its members set. If even one cadet chooses negativity—complaining, criticizing, or quitting—that attitude can hold the whole team back.

That’s why it’s vital to be intentional about the company you keep. Surround yourself with cadets who push forward, who bring energy, who encourage others instead of dragging them down. Invest your time—your most valuable resource—with people who share your drive to improve and your commitment to a Positive Mental Attitude. When you align with motivated teammates, their energy fuels yours, and together, you multiply your chances of success—not just in NJROTC, but in life. So let's handle our business and make our attitude a priority. We can do it cadets, I believe in us.

FOCUS

August 31st 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Pressure isn’t your enemy—it’s a sign you’re in the fight, that you’re chasing something that truly matters. Pressure means you’re standing in the arena where growth happens, not on the sidelines where it’s safe and easy. Just as coal only transforms into a diamond under extreme pressure, you’ll only discover the depths of your potential when you embrace the heat instead of running from it.

And that’s one of the big differences between NJROTC cadets and the normal student body. Where others might shy away from challenge, you run toward it. While many avoid discomfort or a difficult but necessary conversation, you’ve chosen a program that demands discipline, accountability, and courage. You already know that PROGRESS doesn’t come from hiding—it comes from showing up, standing tall, and taking the weight of responsibility head-on.

So the next time pressure weighs on you, remember: it’s not there to break you, it’s there to SHAPE you. It’s the proof you’re cut from something stronger than average—and if you stay the course, that pressure will turn you into the leader, teammate, and person you’re striving to become. You can do it cadets, I believe in you.

August 23rd 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Remember this: your mind is your greatest weapon—but only if you keep it sharp and strong. A negative mindset will never produce positive results. If you let negativity take root, it spreads like weeds, choking out hope, creativity, and solutions. Before long, it can consume your focus and push you toward doubt and despair. Mental toughness is what stops that cycle. It’s the discipline to push back against negative thoughts, to choose optimism, and to keep your focus on solutions instead of problems. When you control your mindset, you control your future. A tough mind isn’t just an advantage—it’s a force multiplier. Let's attack this week with the right mindset! We can do it Cadets...I believe in us!

August 16th

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Staying determined on the path to improvement is less about bursts of motivation and more about daily consistency. Motivation can be fleeting, but consistency is what separates those who reach their goals from those who fall short. Just like Close Order Drill, PT, or Uniform Inspections, you don’t get sharp by doing it once in a while—you get sharp by practicing the little things until they become habits. The truth is, the days when you’re tired, busy, or simply “not in the mood” are the days that define you the most. That’s when you prove that your self-discipline is stronger than your excuses, and that’s when real growth happens.

To stay on track, set non-negotiable standards for yourself—whether it’s physical training, studying, or leadership responsibilities—and commit to doing something every day. Breaking tasks into smaller steps can help you keep momentum, and reminding yourself of the bigger mission—becoming a stronger cadet and leader—will keep you focused. Just as important, encourage and motivate your fellow cadets. When you push others to stay disciplined and pursue the ideal of constant and never-ending improvement, you also hold yourself accountable to those same standards. Leadership in NJROTC is about setting the example, and every time you lift someone else up, you strengthen your own resolve. Consistency builds excellence, and together, you and our Mighty Wildcat Company can raise the standard higher every day…We can do it, I believe in Us!!

August 9th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

To my new cadets…If you chose to be a Cadet, I salute you for taking up the challenge. If you didn’t choose NJROTC I would say give me a chance to show you and teach you about leadership & citizenship. We’ll do fun and challenging things. You don’t have to love NJROTC to *benefit* from it. By choosing to engage with the program positively, you turn what could be a frustrating experience into a powerful advantage. The values of self-discipline, time management, excellence, and responsibility are not just military ideals—they’re life skills.

To my returning cadets: As you step into this new school year, remember this truth: the growth you want demands the discomfort you avoid. It’s easy to stick to what’s safe, to do only what you’ve always done, but that won’t take you anywhere new. Every challenge you face—whether it’s a tough PT session , a long hot drill practice, a hard class, or a leadership role you didn’t think you were ready for—is an opportunity to sharpen your skills and strengthen your character. Growth happens when you lean into the hard moments, not away from them.

The success you chase requires sacrifices you’re afraid to make. That might mean getting up earlier, putting in extra practice, or choosing discipline over distraction. Sacrifice is the price of excellence, and those who achieve it are the ones who consistently choose the harder right over the easier wrong. You can’t become exceptional while living an average life. If you want to stand out, you have to step up—every single day. This year, push yourself beyond what’s comfortable, because your future self is counting on the choices you make right now. You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

August 3rd 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As a new school year begins, I challenge you to take a moment to reflect on how far you've come—and then set your sights even higher. Last year’s accomplishments were a reinforcement of our foundation; now is our time to build upon them with renewed Focus, Discipline, and Drive. We have to remember- True Strength and lasting growth are not born from comfort, but from continuous effort and the willingness to push through struggle. Every challenge you face is a stepping stone to becoming a stronger leader, a more capable teammate, and a better version of yourself. And I believe that the better YOU are the better WE are. We must never forget our secret weapon: TEAMWORK. When we support, trust, and push each other to rise, we become more than individuals—we become a Powerful Unit, Unstoppable and United. This is our year. Let’s earn it together.

July 27th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

"The more you add value, the more you'll be valued" is a powerful reminder for us that Leadership and Respect are earned through consistent actions and contributions. At home, adding value means supporting your family—helping with responsibilities, showing appreciation, and being dependable. In school, it involves taking initiative in class, supporting peers, and maintaining integrity and discipline. Within our Mighty Wildcat Company, it’s about going above and beyond in drill & PT, mentoring younger cadets, and contributing to the team's success without seeking recognition.

Cadets, with me being almost 100 years old, I’ve learned that the more you contribute to others and your environment/community… the more Trust, Respect, and Opportunities you will gain in return. Wherever you go, whatever you do- if you do it with the aim of adding value- then you can’t go wrong. It’s a cycle of mutual growth and I urge you to remember that true Leadership starts with the willingness to serve. Are you Willing?

July 20th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As NJROTC cadets, we are called to lead not just with strength, but with heart. True leadership begins when we look for ways to give more than we receive—to uplift those around us, to put the needs of our team before our own, and to inspire others through our actions. When we choose to Love, Serve, Care, and Encourage, we create a culture of unity and trust that strengthens everyone. It’s not about personal glory, but about lifting the entire unit. By making "WE" greater than "me," we show what it truly means to lead with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

July 12th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As Motivated NJROTC Wildcat Cadets, investing time each day to strengthen both your body and mind is not just about personal growth—it's about preparing to lead. By dedicating even a small portion of your daily routine to physical training and academic improvement, you build discipline, resilience, and confidence…which are a few qualities that define effective Leaders. When you return next school year Stronger and Sharper, you'll naturally command the Respect of your peers and earn the Trust of New Cadets who will look to you for guidance. Your commitment today will shape you into a role model tomorrow—one who leads by example and sets the standard for excellence in the unit. So take legitimate action to Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right! You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

July 5th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As Motivated Paloma Valley NJROTC Wildcat cadets, you are already taking the first steps toward Leadership and Responsibility—qualities that demand Discipline, Focus, and a Commitment to Growth. The Time and Energy you invest now will shape the person you become tomorrow, both in uniform and in life. Choosing to focus on positive self-development—like building strong Study Habits, improving Physical Fitness, and practicing Respect and Teamwork—will prepare you for success not just in NJROTC, but in your future career and relationships. As you’ve heard me say before, every decision you make adds OR subtracts to your foundation, and right now is the perfect time to STRENGTHEN it. You have the tools; now it’s up to YOU to put them to work.

Remember, giving in to procrastination or negativity only sets you back. It’s easy to delay your goals or blame others for challenges, but that mindset weakens your discipline and undermines your leadership potential. Cadets, our program isn’t just about drill and wearing the uniform—IT’S ABOUT BUILDING CHARACTER. You can't lead others if you aren't working on leading yourself first. Every minute wasted is an opportunity lost, and every negative thought can cloud your potential. Choose to be intentional with your time. When you put effort into bettering yourself—mentally, physically, and emotionally—you not only rise above average, you set the example for others to follow. So invest your TIme, Energy, & Focus wisely...You can do it Cadets. I believe in you.

June 28th 2025

Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Well here we are 16 days since school let out. I have to say I miss seeing you all every day...taking accountability, hearing you respond loud and viciously. I miss telling you stories and I even miss our daily dismissal of:

“Act Right, Be Right, Do Right! Get Out!” The biggest thing I miss is Ultimate Football. But don’t worry, next school year will be here before you know it…BUT… until then here is one of my favorite stories...my seniors and juniors will probably remember it.

A son and his father were walking in the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:

"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"

He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"

The voice answers: "I admire you!"

Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"

The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.

It gives you back everything you say or do.

Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.

If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;

Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!

So if there is any truth in this last statement of Life being a reflection of you...then make sure you Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right! Give Your Life Your Best...You Deserve it! Take Care Cadets… Wash Your Hands and Help around the house...also, it would not hurt if you did a few push ups or something :)

June 22nd, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As we enter into the 2nd week of Summer “Vacation” it can be said we are approaching a new phase of our life. In doing so we are advised to come to grips with the reality of both the closing of one chapter and the opening of another...as we are all aware...with change comes challenge. As we endeavor for constant and never ending improvement we are keen to the fact that we can not get better while staying the same. Let’s courageously look the challenge of improvement straight in the eye.

With challenge comes opportunity for growth. Talking about what we “want” to do next is simple, but bringing our goal of improvement to a reality takes ACTION. Yes, it is officially Summer Time...but let’s NOT let the temptation of taking time off persuade us to do less than our best in our pursuit of constant and never ending improvement. Life’s only regrets are typically related to the things we didn’t do or try to do. We got this!Improve- Body, Mind, Spirit! You can do it cadets, I believe in you.

June 15th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As you begin your first full week of summer break, I want to challenge each of you to make this time count. Summer is a chance to relax, yes—but it's also a golden opportunity to invest in yourself. Whether you're a NS3 or NS4 or just finishing your first year in NJROTC, there's always room to grow. Cadets, I challenge you to make physical fitness a priority. Go for a run, hit the gym, swim, or explore a new sport. Your body is one of your greatest assets, and staying in shape not only boosts your performance as a cadet but sharpens your Mental Toughness and Discipline. Don’t let these weeks slip by—use them to strengthen your foundation.

Beyond fitness, summer is the perfect time for Self-Development. Read a book that challenges your thinking(7 Habits of Highly Effective People or Any book by John C. Maxwell), learn a new skill, or set personal goals that push you forward. Reflect on your past year and think about the cadet—and person—you want to become. Leadership, Resilience, Integrity—these don’t take breaks, and neither should your drive to improve. As we like to say, “Constant and Never Ending Improvement.” When you walk back into school in the fall, let your presence reflect the effort you put in this summer. Be the example. Be the inspiration. Be the cadet others look to and say, “That’s the standard.” I believe you’ve got what it takes—now go prove it…not to me…Go Prove It To Yourself.

June 8th, 2025

Dear motivated cadets of Mine,

As you enter the final week of high school, I encourage each of you to finish strong—show the same discipline, integrity, and determination that define us as “The NJROTC Mighty Wildcat Company of Cadets” that we are! The work you put in now sets the tone not only for your summer, but for the leader you are becoming. Use the break ahead as a time to recharge and refocus. Set goals to improve physically- with consistent fitness; mentally- through reading or learning something new, and emotionally- by staying connected to positive influences and practicing resilience. Come back next year sharper, stronger, and ready to lead—better than ever before. You've got this Cadets, I believe in you.

May 31st 2025,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Last Friday, we completed our Tec-Dec. This process assists us in selecting the commanders and co-commanders of our various teams. Cadets, history teaches us a significant truth: no civilization built on injustice has ever endured. A tyrant (bully/dictator) may command obedience for a season, but fear-based power always collapses under its own weight. Real Leadership- Real influence- the kind that lasts- is rooted not in force, but in RESPECT.

Whether you're leading a platoon, a team, a company, or a community, the same law applies: people will give their best not when they are forced, but when they are VALUED. When individuals are treated fairly, given dignity, and allowed to contribute meaningfully, they rise to the occasion. They become the foundation of something strong, sustainable, and extraordinary. They become a part of something bigger than themselves.

The Golden Rule is not just moral advice—it’s a master key to success. When you treat others the way you would want to be treated in their position, you ignite loyalty, foster trust, and inspire enthusiastic cooperation.

So to all those that got selected to lead our various teams…Congratulations! I direct you to Set high expectations—for yourself and those you lead. Show RESPECT. Give our Cadets the tools and TRUST to do their best work. More often than not, they’ll exceed your expectations—not because they have to, but because they want to. The best Leadership isn't about control—it's about connection.

And the surest way to build that connection is to lead with Fairness, Integrity, and Genuine Concern. You can do it Cadets. I believe in you.

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States and remember all those who sacrificed their lives to serve their country, I couldn’t help but think of an important truth: Greatness requires service and sacrifice.

This is true whether we are talking about the ultimate sacrifice our heroes made for their country or other kinds of sacrifice that people make every day for the good of others. Cadets, hear me when I say it is the sacrifice of oneself that leads to true greatness.

In addition to our Memorial Day heroes, greatness can also be found in every corner of the earth, in classrooms, team locker rooms, kitchens, farms, laboratories, hospitals, non-profit meeting rooms, factories, and especially in the hearts and actions of those who serve and sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves.

Great scientists and doctors invest their lives in finding cures for cancer and other diseases.
Great teammates sacrifice for each other.
Great leaders selflessly serve their teams and organizations.
Great marriages often sacrifice what each person wants for what the marriage needs.
Great parents give of themselves to their children.
Great nurses and doctors give their all to help their patients recover and keep them alive.
Great teachers sacrifice their time and energy to improve the lives of their students.
Great cadets sacrifice and give hundreds of hours of practice and study time to develop their talents and leadership in which they ultimately use to improve their fellow cadets and unit as a whole.

The list goes on...

So, if you want to be great, I hope you realize it’s not about what you can accumulate for yourself, but rather how much of yourself (your time, your energy, and your talents) you can give to others. You may not give your life for your country, but you can give your life to a cause greater than yourself. You don’t have to be great to serve and sacrifice. But you have to serve and sacrifice to be great. So let us attack this week prepared to sacrifice for the greater good. We can do it Cadets, I believe in us.

May 19th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As we get close to the end of the school year... it is the time to to bring to mind your rituals—the little things you do every single day. Because these little things define you. I came across this quote that said, “People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future.” But isn’t it interesting how day by day it seems like nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?

Well, believe it or not that is the power of little daily routines...little daily habits...little daily patterns...little daily rituals. Simply stated, all the results in your life come from these little things.

Regardless of your unique life circumstances, or how you personally define success (My favorite definition of success is, “The progressive realization towards a worthy goal.”), you don’t suddenly become successful. You become successful over time based on your rituals.

Failure occurs in the same way. All your little daily failures (especially the failures that you don’t learn and grow from) come together and cause you to fail…allow me to give you a basic business example...pretend you own a business...

You keep failing to check the financial books; You keep failing to make the calls; You keep failing to listen to your customers; You keep failing to do the little things that need to be done…Then one day you wake up and your business has failed. It was all the little things you did or didn’t do on a daily basis—your rituals—not just one inexplicable, catastrophic event.

OK, now think about how this relates to your life right now as a student, as a Motivated Cadet of the Mighty Wildcat Company...because your life is your business. You are the boss and the employee.

Cadets believe me when I tell you that your rituals make or break you. So, how have you been managing your rituals, and thus how have you been managing your life? Is it time to re-examine those rituals? Do your rituals bring out the best in you? Are the little things you’re doing every day working for you or against you? Answer that question then adjust accordingly. Let's finish this school year strong. Run all the way through the finishline! You can do it cadets. I believe in you.

May 11th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Here are a few inspirational bullets:

Waiting for the “right time” is a lie—take action now.

Not everyone is meant to stay in your life—embrace the growth.

You’re always one decision away from a new direction.

Your past does not equal your future. Your life is in your hands. Now is the time to step into the next version of you. Let's have a great week Cadets!

May 4th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

We are always talking about traits and characteristics and qualities that could make us better. Here are two more that we should pay attention to. Focus & Determination. Focus and Determination are fundamental drivers of personal growth and development.

Focus enables individuals to direct their energy and attention toward meaningful goals, reducing distractions and promoting clarity in decision-making.

Determination complements this by fostering perseverance through challenges, setbacks, and long-term efforts.

Together, these qualities build a strong foundation for continuous learning, skill acquisition, and self-improvement. Individuals who remain focused and determined are more likely to achieve their aspirations because they maintain consistency in effort and vision, even in the face of adversity.

Beyond personal achievement, Focus and Determination also play a vital role in earning the respect of your peers and fellow cadets. I think that when others observe a person who remains committed and resilient under pressure, it inspires confidence and admiration.

Focused individuals are seen as reliable, while those with strong determination are trusted to lead by example, especially during difficult times. These traits not only establish credibility but also motivate those around them to strive for higher standards, creating a ripple effect of respect and influence in both professional and personal environments.

Let's give our attention towards our level of focus and determination. We can do it Cadets... I believe in us.

April 25th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets,

In any NJROTC unit, motivation is often seen as the key to success—but in truth, what cadets need more than momentary inspiration is Unwavering Commitment and a deep-seated belief in themselves and their team. Motivation is fleeting; it comes and goes with mood, energy levels, and circumstance.

Commitment, on the other hand, is what carries cadets through early morning PT sessions, drill practice, long hours of community service, and the disciplined lifestyle the program demands. When cadets internalize the value of their goals and recognize the strength of the team surrounding them, they don't have to rely on daily motivation—they show up because they’ve made a decision to grow, improve, and honor the standard they've committed to.

This mindset also means understanding that the greatest achievements rarely come with instant results. In a world that celebrates quick wins and overnight success, high achieving cadets must learn to put aside short-term comfort or gratification in favor of long-term growth and purpose. Whether it’s preparing for new leadership positions, mastering regulations and exhibition drill routines, or improving academic performance.

The real rewards come to those who persist, who trust the process, and who believe in the bigger picture. Developing this kind of discipline and vision is what turns cadets into Leaders—not just in the unit, but in every challenge they face beyond the program. Your personal and leadership development is of the utmost importance. Focus on the right things…you can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

April 22nd 2025

With Awards night behind us…being happy for other people’s successes and achievements is a powerful mindset that cultivates positivity, empathy, and emotional maturity. Instead of viewing others' accomplishments through the lens of jealousy or competition, celebrating their wins helps build stronger relationships and a supportive community. Doing this reflects confidence in yourself and an understanding that someone else’s success does not take away from your own potential. Cadets, I believe that when you’re genuinely happy for someone, you invite more joy into your life and create an environment where mutual encouragement and growth thrive.

Taking it a step further, witnessing someone else achieve their goals can be a huge source of inspiration. It shows you what’s possible and often serves as a reminder that hard work, consistency, and belief in oneself really do pay off. Instead of feeling discouraged, you can use their journey as motivation to step up, set your own goals, and push beyond your comfort zone. Their success can ignite your own ambition, helping you grow into the person you’re meant to be. In this way, other people’s wins become fuel for your own progress. Cadets, let’s celebrate and be happy for one another. Enjoy your Spring Break, but don’t let responsibilities slip. Let's go Cadets...You Got This! I believe in You!

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

April 13th, 2025

As the final couple of months of school approach, it’s more important than ever to stay focused and FINISH STRONG. This is a unique time—a chance to reflect on all the work that’s been done while pushing forward with purpose. Whether it's keeping up with assignments, preparing for exams, or staying committed to NJROTC and other responsibilities at home- I believe that you maintaining momentum now can shape the way you transition into the next phase of life. Staying organized, setting small weekly goals, and reminding yourself of what’s ahead—college, military, work, travel, or new summer experiences—can help keep that motivation alive.

Just as important as staying focused yourself is being a source of encouragement to your fellow Cadets. Everyone is feeling the pressure in different ways, and sometimes a kind word, a helping hand, or simply showing up with a positive attitude can make a huge difference for someone else. Uplifting each other creates a stronger, more connected Company of Cadets and reminds everyone that no one has to finish this journey alone. So please allow me to encourage you all to celebrate each milestone together, and help make these last few weeks not only productive but also meaningful.

You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

April 6, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As we begin this new week, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible pride I feel in each and every one of you. Your devotion to this program, your commitment to one another, and the unwavering pride you demonstrate for our school and community inspire me every single day.

Being a part of NJROTC is no small task—it requires discipline, determination, and heart. And every time you step into this uniform, whether it’s during competitions, community service, or simply in your day-to-day actions, you represent something far greater than yourselves. You embody the values that make this school and community stronger: integrity, leadership, and service.

So as you step into this week, I challenge you to carry that pride with you—to let it fuel your efforts, push your boundaries, and strengthen the bonds you have with your team. Remember, every small action, every effort you make, has an impact not just on you but on your team, your school, and your community.

Let’s go out there and lead with purpose. I believe in you.

PS. We start Iron Cadet this week. Join me Monday morning on the track for the Farmers walk at 0800

March 31st, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

The concept of "getting out what you put in" is a powerful reminder that the effort we invest in our work, goals, and relationships determines the outcomes we experience. Discipline and hard work are not just tools for achieving success—they are the foundation for earning the respect of others and, more importantly, for building our own self-respect. When we consistently show up, give our best, and push through challenges, we prove to ourselves that we are capable and committed. This inner strength and perseverance shape our character, making us worthy of both external admiration and internal pride. It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing we’ve put in the effort, regardless of the outcome, that truly empowers us to grow and thrive. You can do it, Cadets, I believe in you.

PS. A special Thank You to all those that have been especially engaged with participating. Your honest effort towards the program and your personal development is SALUTED!

March 24th, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I want to remind you that growth comes through challenge and discomfort. You never truly know your limits until you push yourself to them. As NJROTC cadets, you are already familiar with the strength and determination it takes to face obstacles head-on and keep moving forward. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, improving your fitness, or rising to leadership roles, every challenge is an opportunity for you to grow and realize just how much you’re capable of.

Challenges are supposed to hurt. That discomfort is where the magic happens—it’s where your character is built and where your potential is unlocked. So, don’t shy away from the tough moments. Embrace them, because they are the moments that will shape you into stronger, more resilient individuals. You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

March 15th, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

It is not You against the World. It is You against You! Cadets, the fact is no one can keep you down but yourself. Have you ever felt sometimes that you were your own worst enemy? We all have moments when, no matter how hard we try, things just don't seem to work out right, when everything goes wrong, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. But, just as you may sometimes be your own worst enemy, you can also be your own best friend.

The transition usually occurs when you realize the only person on earth who can determine your failure or success is yourself. You may discover your best friend when you develop the MATURITY and Strength of Character to accept yourself for the person you are and to take the actions necessary to become the person you wish to be.

Cadets, when you analyze yourself objectively (meaning in a way that is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions), you can begin to build up on your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. When you do, you will realize the only person who stands in the way of your success is you. Time to take Extreme Ownership and Get out of your own way and chase your best self! You got this Cadets…I believe in you.

March 1, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

You will be challenged with many things in your life...among the most challenging will be your ability to expand your mind. Oliver Wendell Holmes, an American Physician, Poet, Professor, and Lecturer was quoted as saying, "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." Cadets, we must be willing to face the unknown, to stand up to challenges, and more importantly conquer our own doubts and fears. But here is the good news...if you can change your thinking, you can change your life. Let's attack the 2nd 6 weeks of this 2nd semester with a can-do attitude. It's never too late to do better. You can do it, cadets, I believe in you.

February 23rd, 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

This Super Bowl did not turn out exactly the way we had hoped. Cadets- because I am so old and crusty I’ve learned a lot about life… particularly when it doesn’t turn out the way we wanted. Here is my belief: It isn’t defeat, but rather our mental attitude toward it that whips us.

There are many things in life that we cannot control, but we can always control our attitude toward them. I’m not saying it is easy…but when we take charge of our own mind…we can. Defeat is never permanent unless we allow it to be so. When we have a positive attitude, we will recognize failure for the impostor that it is and realize that it is really a learning experience, a valuable lesson that will help us succeed with the next attempt. So after the experience, it would benefit us if we ask ourselves: What could I (we) have done differently that would have altered the outcome? What can we do in the future to minimize problems and mistakes? What did we learn from this experience that we can put to good use next time?

Cadets, I guess what I am saying is…If you approach obstacles and setbacks with a positive attitude, you will be surprised how quickly you can turn defeat into victory. It is not a loss…it is a lesson. The question is, are we humble enough to learn from it? We got this. Let’s keep persevering! We can do it…I believe in us.

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

February 16th 2025.

Eight to be Great! Here are 8 steps everyone has to go through as they pursue something worthwhile. They have to be PASSIONATE about something...have a self-burning desire. Then get to WORK on it, When I say work I don't mean dabble in it, I mean work hard! ...stay FOCUSED on it, don't allow outside distractions to tempt you with promises of immediate gratification. You may have to PUSH yourself...anything in life worth having doesn't come easy (Self-Discipline). As you push through- very often IDEAS pop up. When that happens you IMPROVE your plan. Fortify your convictions...but not selfishly, remember the best leaders SERVE others. No matter how hard or far away the objective seems, you must PERSIST. You can do it Cadets…I believe in You

February 9th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Most people think success is about adding more—more habits, more strategies, more effort. But what if the real secret is dropping what no longer serves you? The truth is, your ability to rise is directly connected to what you’re willing to let go of. Whether it’s toxic relationships, limiting beliefs, or bad habits… I believe it is the weights in our life that are keeping us from elevating to the next level…so in essence, the fastest way to elevate our life is to drop the weights holding us down. No more excuses. Stop blaming others—go ahead and forgive, let go, and move forward. Cadets, I want you to succeed despite all the things going against you. Succeed despite the lack of resources or support. Succeed despite unfair challenges. You have greatness inside you. TAP INTO IT! You can do it, Cadets. I believe in you.

February 2nd 2025,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I’m not a big video game guy, but I know when you beat a level it means you “level up.” You now have to elevate your abilities for the next phase of the game. Today’s MSgt Moto seeks to give you a “cheat code” to “Level Up” in real life.

All you need to do is Appreciate to Elevate! I believe that when you appreciate, you elevate. You elevate your state of mind, you elevate your mood, you elevate your performance, and you elevate the people around you (especially important as a leader). Researchers and scientists believe that you can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time…if this is in fact true, when you practice gratitude, you effectively counter the stress that drains you. Instead of focusing on what you lack (don’t currently possess), you appreciate what you have. Instead of a scarcity mindset where you don’t feel like you are enough or don’t have enough, you develop an abundance mindset. I’m convinced abundance flows into our life when gratitude flows out of our hearts.

To me, it seems like stress and entitlement cut off the flow of positive energy into our life. If I focus on stress and what I don’t have…then a negative spiral will begin to occur. What we focus on expands. If this is true…that what we focus on expands…then it works both ways. We need to focus on what we have and what we can do. We need to show gratitude for things big and small.

So how can we better focus on the right things? Here are a couple potential courses of action:

Take a Thank You Walk… this is where you walk and practice gratitude by literally thinking about things you’re grateful for…your ability to walk, see, hear…grateful for family and friends, grateful for immediate responders and people dedicated to defending our freedom, grateful for indoor plumbing, grateful for your pets, grateful for your favorite food, etc. etc.
Create a gratitude journal. It could be in bullet format or written in paragraphs. You can do it any way you want.
Make a habit of sending a few thank-you texts to friends and team members each morning.

Doing things like the above will elevate you and your state of mind. This sets you up for a good day. So don’t just let the day happen to you…YOU, Happen To The Day! Be Deliberate. You can do it cadets…I believe in You.

January 26th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Thank You to all the cadets (and parents) that spent their Saturday competing and helping the The Mighty Wildcat Company. You've heard me say many times that, "the deeper you dig, the more you find." What exactly does that mean?

In this day and age it is easy to believe you are not good enough, talented enough, strong enough, smart enough, good-looking enough etc...the truth is that your potential, your future success- is not based on talent, strength, looks or intelligence...

Your success in life is based on your willingness to keep digging. Your willingness to keep giving your HONEST Effort. Just don't stop trying. At any given moment you don't have to be the best...you just have to give your best.

You have to show up…when you show up you reinforce within yourself that you are a person who keeps their word, who is responsible and dependable. When you keep “digging” you are actually building self confidence and self respect…But when you quit on yourself, your responsibilities, or you quit on your team you actually degrade the caliber of your character.

With this knowledge I want to encourage you to Keep Digging! Dig Deeper! There is more inside you. You can do it! I believe in You.

BE A GREAT CADET! FOCUS ON WHAT IS IN YOUR CONTROL

Jan18th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I read once that Charisma attracts Attention and Courage attracts Admiration. A Leader Demonstrating Commitment to their group inspires Loyalty. As humans we follow Leaders who fight for us and in turn we make sacrifices for those leaders who serve us…that is UNLESS…the nature of those being led are deeply selfish and immature, in which case their loyalty remains to what benefits themselves more than the team or leader leading the team. But even if this is the case, the Leader MUST continue to demonstrate their commitment to this mission and organization because it is the RIGHT thing to do. We can only control what we can control ATTITUDE, EFFORT, BEHAVIORS, & ACTIONS.

So I challenge you cadets...I challenge you to control what you can control. You can do it cadets...I believe in you

January 9th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

(*Note: Please read the last two MSgt Motos and send me your one word)

These past few weeks have been great. Being relaxed and comfortable made me think about the word “Comfortable.” Ironically, we all want to be comfortable, but we also know that if we are in the comfort zone too long it is not a place that will enable us to get stronger or smarter. Having some amount of comfort is important for our wellbeing and recovery. However, comfort can quickly become a drug that weakens our body and mind, kills our creativity, and makes us stale.

Attachment to comfort brings laziness, boredom, and an all around “blah” attitude. When we are living in too much comfort, any motivation to create deep transformation and growth is drained. We also become less resilient to adversity.

Funny enough, the more we get used to being comfortable, the easier it is for us to feel uncomfortable. In my life experience I’ve learned that Happiness doesn’t actually come with increased comfort. Happiness comes with personal growth, inner peace, and living your potential.

So as we enter 2025, let’s pursue progress…let’s chase personal growth, let us find the peace that comes from knowing we are giving our best towards tapping into our potential. We can do it cadets…I believe in us!

Let's Maximize 2025

January 4th 2025

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

First allow me to say Happy New Year to you all! I am very optimistic about the possibilities in 2025. A few of you have already sent me your One Word along with why you chose it…or why it chose you. For those of you who have not yet decided…please read last week’s MSgt Moto and get to thinking. Please share with me your One Word once you’ve decided. Here are a few of your fellow cadets One-Word: SACRIFICE, PERSEVERANCE, FORGIVENESS, SELF-LOVE, UNSELFISHNESS, PUSH, NO, & GRIT.

My 1-Word for this year of my life… is PLOW. When I think of a PLOW, the plow is breaking the hard ground & preparing the ground to produce something good and useful for others. The plow does its work rain or shine…knowing and understanding that others benefit from its efforts. Furthermore, when I think of the word PLOW… I think of “moving forward” -or- “Plow through an obstacle”

Interestingly enough, my biggest obstacle is always myself. My excuses, my moods, my emotions, my bad habits. So…this year I am committing PLOWING through my self-imposed limitations. To help me, I've created a tangible reminder with letters spelling P-L-O-W on my bathroom mirror, in my home office and on my bookshelf. It will be a daily friendly reminder to keep me on a healthy path that I have chosen.

It is my sincere desire that your One Word does the same for you. Thank You cadets for being amazing! I look forward to a strong 2nd semester with you. Hope to see you next week on Mon, Wed, & Friday!

December 28th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I hope each of you were able to feel peace and joy this Christmas. I did. I spent time with family.

But hey, the New Year is fast approaching and many people use this time to make plans, goals, and aspirations more defined. But statistically speaking most people, teenagers and adults alike, fail miserably within the first month of their new year’s “resolution.” What if instead of making a list of things that you will start doing or a list of bad habits you’ll stop doing…what if you committed to merely improving. Said another way, what if you allowed yourself to be inspired by a word that gives you meaning…maybe even strength towards the purpose of improvement.

I’d like to invite you to participate in something called the 1-Word Challenge! What I want to convey is… this one word is your driving power to overcome the temptation of doing less than your best. This 1-Word of yours acts as a shield from excuses and procrastination. This word will be your friendly reminder that you are capable of more. It will encourage you to make the right decision in the face of the temptation to do less. Every person’s word will be different.

So how can you determine your 1-Word? I recommend that you dive into some deep reflection on what you want your life to look and feel like after a year. Think about what motivates you and gets you focused. Think about what you’ve accomplished thus far and what you have yet to achieve. Then, start thinking of words that encapsulate the spirit of what you’re looking forward to in the new year.

1. What do I want to focus on this year?

2. What's in my way?

3. What do I need more of?

4. What do I need less of?

5. What needs to change?

6. What matters most?

7. What is one word that will drive me this year to be my best?

I did this 1-Word Challenge with my cadets back in 2021…some of their words included: Focus, Productive, Self-Love, Intentional, Magic, Expand, Surrender, Pray, Purposeful, Rise, Determination, Curious, Dig-in, Serve, and Courageous. It can literally be anything word you want.

What I want you all to do is imagine what 1-word could act as a “power-pellet” for you…like Spinich to Popeye...something that would strengthen and empower you every time you see it or think of it…

Before I tell you what my one word will be for 2025. I’d like to hear some of yours. Please email me your one word. frank.puebla@puhsd.org I’ll share mine with you on Jan 4th. Until then...Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right!

Dec 8, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

An elephant trainer is called a Mahout. It’s said that Mahouts strap thick metal chains and pegs to baby elephants. The baby will try to escape many times, but won’t be able to. A moment comes when the baby elephant accepts that he will never be able to escape, and then he stops trying. When the elephant is grown up, he can then easily escape that trap, but the idea will not even cross his mind. So he remains bound.

This is how most of us behave. We have been conditioned to believe that we can’t do some things, or be certain things. We have been chained by expectations from our family, friends, and society. And we often don’t stop to check if these things are really true. We don’t dare to oppose them, mainly due to fear.

If you think about it, we are all like elephants. We all have incredible power inside us. And we have our own chains and pegs — the self-limiting thoughts and beliefs that hold us back. Sometimes it’s a childhood experience or an old failure. Sometimes it’s something we were told when we were younger.

The key thing to realize is this: we need to learn from the past, but also to be willing to change our assumptions — our perspective — about the way things are now. Life is not static. You can break free. Like you’ve heard me say before, “You Never Know Your Limit Until You Push Yourself To It.” So keep pushing! You can do it. I believe in you.

November 25th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Have you ever taken the time to contemplate, to really think…why you are the way you are? Why does your mind work the way it does? I don’t know about you, but no one ever taught me how to think. Someone once said, “Know your own mind, and you will be as wise as the wisest.”

Cadets, When you take charge of your mind, you take charge of your life. When you understand your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and desires, you can direct them to any end YOU choose and not be controlled like a puppet by others or outside circumstances. Wisdom comes from taking the time to study yourself, to know why you are the person you are.

Taking charge of your mind is a thoughtful, reflective, and purposeful process. You are definitely worth the time and energy. In fact, I would say it is one of the best things you could invest your time in. Maybe during this Thanksgiving Break you can invest some purposeful reflection time on your journey in life so far…make adjustments to your thinking- if necessary.

You got this Cadets! I believe in you.

Nov 17th, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Undisciplined people do dumb things. Disciplined people do smart things… which are you? So this is really what everything we talk about is going to come down to. How do you have the discipline to execute and do the things that you need to do to do YOUR part?

Cadets, one thing that everybody has to overcome to be able to do this is to answer the question: “Am I going to do what I feel like doing -OR- Am I going to choose to do the things I need to do in order to accomplish the goal(s) that I have.”

Indeed, this is a huge hurdle for everybody because how many times have you heard somebody say, “I don't feel like doing this or that.” Plain and simple…it doesn't matter what you feel like! It’s not about feelings. You have to make choices and decisions based on what you want to accomplish and what you want to do. You have to be committed to it and not let your “feelings” deter you from doing what you know needs to be done.

Keeping your WORD…Keeping Your Promise to yourself has got to be important to you. If anyone deserves your best effort, it is YOU! Let’s make this a Fantastic Week. AMI is Friday, let’s Cook! 😁 (did I use that right 🤔)

Novemeber 10th 2024 (Happy 249th Birthday to me and to all my fellow Marines, like Alexander Harwood and Jayden Medina)

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Talking trash about another person is never a good thing. However, it is always safe to talk about others... as long as you speak of their good qualities.

The old adage, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all,” is especially valid today. In any organization, regardless of size, the rumor mill works overtime when it comes to negative gossip. And you can be sure that unkind things you say about others will very quickly find their way to them, for it is also a truism that those who talk about others to us....will absolutely eventually talk about us to others. Cadets, not only should you not speak badly of others — you should not participate in conversations in which others do. It is tempting to listen and or participate because we want people to like us...but those "friendships" that stem from a mutual dislike for someone else are hollow and superficial at best. It is more wise to spend your time with those who focus on important things- like creative thoughts, goals, ideas, and progress. On top of the fact that you are not engaging in mean and negative energy...you will never have to apologize for an unkind word uttered in a moment of weakness or frustration.

Cadets, Let's challenge ourselves this week to NOT utter one foul or negative word about another. You can do it, I believe in you.

November 3rd 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

You will be challenged with many things in your life...among the most challenging will be your ability to expand your mind. Oliver Wendell Holmes, an American physician, poet, professor, and lecturer was quoted as saying, "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." Cadets, we must be willing to face the unknown, to stand up to challenges, and more importantly conquer our own doubts and fears. But here is the good news...if you can change your thinking, you can change your life. Let's finish this last 6 weeks of the semester with a can-do attitude. It's never too late to do better. You can do it cadets, I believe in you.

October 28th, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

As you've heard me say many times before, "We are all the sum total of our choices." A while back I told you a story with that exact moral... Please allow me to remind you of it. I actually came across it at the tail end of a book titled "Living Forward" by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy.

High in the Himalayan mountains lived a wise old man. Periodically, he ventured down into the local village to entertain the villagers with his special knowledge and talents. One of his skills was to “psychically” tell the villagers the contents in their pockets, boxes, or minds.

A few young boys from the village decided to play a joke on the wise old man and discredit his special abilities. One boy came up with the idea to capture a bird and hide it in his hands. He knew of course, the wise old man would know the object in his hands was a bird.

The boy devised a plan. Knowing the wise old man would correctly state the object in his hands was a bird, the boy would ask the old man if the bird was dead or alive. If the wise man said the bird was alive, the boy would crush the bird in his hands, so that when he opened his hands the bird would be dead; if the wise man said the bird was dead, the boy would open his hands and let the bird fly free. So no matter what the old man said, the boy would prove the old man a fraud.

The following week, the wise old man came down from the mountain into the village. The boy quickly caught a bird and cupping it out of sight in his hands, walked up to the wise old man and asked, ” Old man, old man, what is it that I have in my hands?”

The wise old man said, “You have a bird.” and he was right. The boy then asked, “Old man, old man tell me, is the bird alive or is it dead?” The wise old man looked at the boy and said, “The bird is as you choose it.”

And so it is in everything we do. Cadets, I desire a great deal that you all recognize that... Your Power - Your Direction - Your Destiny is literally in Your hands. Which path are you going to take? It’s up to you, it’s always up to you. It’s your choice to, “Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right.”

Let's attack this week with everything we got!

October 21st, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Admittedly I am ignorant when it comes to technology, but I heard that Computer experts use the acronym GIGO. Have you ever heard of it? GIGO stands for, “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” These computer experts use this acronym to illustrate the fact that the computer can process ONLY the information it is given. Cadets I’m thinking that the same is true with our minds. If we feed our minds with healthful, nourishing “food,” it will grow strong and agile, but if we restrict it to a regular diet of mental “junk food,” your mind will become unhealthy, negative, and unproductive. Your mind will return to you what you put into it. So I’d like to encourage you to feed your mind a balanced, nourishing diet. Study information not only from your teachers but also study on your own and look into a variety of fields that interest you. Don’t get stuck on Instragram and TikTok and social media only. Don’t get stuck on video games…a mental diet like that will not enable you to reach your best version. We are capable of more. Let’s get after it! Let’s put Good in so that we can get Good out. You can do it Cadets. I believe in you.

Oct 13th 2024 (Happy 249 Birthday U.S. Navy)

Greetings Motivated Cadets of Mine,

It's been said that our attitude shape’s our outlook...and our outlook shapes our destiny. I'm the type of person that always tries to find the positive and the good. Observing the quote on the right...apparently, so was Abraham Lincoln. As you may have learned, Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th president of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865.

Cadets, some people look for reasons to be offended...then they bond and build rapport (connection) with others who are also negative seekers...it then becomes an unspoken game as to who has it worse. They attempt to out-do each other with stories of how miserable they are, how bad they have it, or how "So and So" did them wrong.

I challenge you cadets to take note of your attitude. Do you default to negative or do you attempt to see the positive. Like the miners who mine gold in the mountains...they literally move tons of dirt, rock, and debris...not complaining and not focusing on the dirt, but rather searching for and celebrating the bits of Gold they do find. Cadet, let's take this week and look for Gold! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

Oct 6, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I believe that everything rises and falls with Leadership. We often say, “We are in the business of Making Leaders!” As your Proud and Motivated Instructor, it is my desire to help teach you how important leadership is and how to be a good leader...a solid leader...a positive leader. This week I challenge you to:

1. See possibilities when others don’t.

2. Focus on solutions instead of complaints.

3. Encourage people when they are feeling defeated.

4. Demonstrate commitment when others want to quit.

Remember, leadership is not just about what YOU can do ....but rather what YOU can inspire, encourage and empower OTHERS to do.

Cadets, let's get dominate this week. Let's lead by example even if the only person we lead is ourselves...why? Because the Better we lead ourselves the more others will want to follow.

Sept 29th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In our desire to do great things we can sometimes get self absorbed and forget about others. I challenge each of you to practice saying these 20 things to your family, friends, teachers, and class mates. Can you say all 20 of these things at leaste once this week to the various important people in your life?

1. I care about you. 2. I believe in you. 3. You are worthy. You deserve it. 4. The best is yet to come. 5. Stay positive. 6. I was wrong. I'm sorry. 7. Please. 8. How can I help? 9. I'm here for you when you want to talk. 10. You can do it. 11. You've got this, have faith in your God. 12. Please forgive me. 13. I forgive you. 14. I've got your back. 15. I'm open to your feedback. Make me better. 16. You're not alone. 17. Even if we disagree, we can still be friends. 18. You matter. 19. Thank You. 20. There is greatness inside you.

Don't you think if you heard any of those 20 things that it would make you smile...well then, let us make others smile this coming week and weeks to come.

Cadets...I am proud to be your instructor! Keep doing your best and let's make this week a GREAT week. You can do it Cadets- I believe in you.

RETURN

WITH

HONOR

20 Sept 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Still busy as ever! I know I was out all week, but I heard how great the week went. I know Rialto will be a blast, I am bummed out that I am missing it…but at the same time I am happy I could celebrate with my wife. Being bummed and happy at the same time?? Doesn’t make sense does it? I think that is called a paradox.

The dictionary says, “ A paradox is a statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible to understand, but may actually be true.” I believe that paradoxes can be used to reveal deeper truths and promote critical thinking. Heck, I’ll go as far as to say I believe LIFE IS A PARADOX.

Think about it, working out will make you feel weak when it’s actually making you stronger. Learning new things will make you feel dumb when it is actually making you smarter. Investing in yourself (spending money for self-help books, seminars, or a life coach) will make you feel broke when it's actually making you rich. Facing your fears will make you feel terrified when it’s actually making you braver.

Cadets, another Paradox that our program subscribes to is that Struggle Builds Strength. With that said I want to congratulate the newest BATTLECATS! You endured the physicality, the chaos, and the struggle as a whole. I AM PROUD OF YOU ALL!

Sept 15th 2024,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

What a busy weekend, Thank you to Chief Clark & Chief Pena for leading the charge at Neptune Olympics. A hearty salute to Lt. Jackson and the CG team that honored Sgt Barcellano’s memory. And at the Leadership Symposium all of our leaders did great. Of course our company could not enjoy any of our success without the support of our MVPs.

Today’s message is about Discipline, ...as you know Discipline is what I believe separates us from most other units, organizations, classes, clubs...So there was a story about two explorers...one from England and one from Norway...both wanted to be the first to plant their country’s flag. The year was 1911 and it was a race to become the first known human being to set foot upon the southernmost point of earth.

The journey there and back from their base camps was about fourteen hundred miles, which is roughly equivalent to a round-trip hike from Menifee CA to El Paso Tx. Both men would be traveling the same distance on foot through extremely cold and harsh weather conditions. And both men were equally equipped with experience, supplies, and a supporting team of fellow explorers.

As it turned out, Amundsen and Scott took entirely different approaches to the very same challenges. Scott directed his team to hike as far as possible on the good weather days and then rest on bad weather days to conserve energy. Conversely, Amundsen directed his team to follow a strict regimen of consistent daily progress by hiking exactly twenty miles every day, regardless of weather conditions. Even on the warmest, clear-sky days, when Amundsen’s team was capable of hiking much farther, he was absolutely adamant that they travel no more than twenty miles to conserve their energy for the following day’s hike.

Which team succeeded in the end? Amundsen’s team, the one that took consistent daily action. Why? Because what we do every day defines us. Today’s progress is always compounded by yesterday’s effort, no matter how small. And it all comes down to the power of self-discipline. Think about the most common problems we deal with in our modern lives, from lack of presence to lack of exercise to unhealthy diets to procrastination, and so forth. In most cases, problems like these are caused NOT by a physically present limitation, but by a limitation of the mind—specifically, a lack of self-discipline.

We put the hard things off until tomorrow for a variety of reasons until we’ve lost our momentum. We grow accustomed to the belief that things should be easier than they are, and that waiting another day or two makes the most sense. Then one day we wake up and we’re emotionally incapable of doing the hard things that need to be done.

Cadets, your mind and body both need to be exercised to gain strength. They need to be challenged, and they need to be worked consistently, to grow and develop over time. If you haven’t pushed yourself in lots of little ways over time—if you always avoid doing the hard things—of course you’ll crumble on the inevitable days that are harder than you expected.

Cadets! We got this. Let's resolve to be more courageous in the face of hard things...facing them and doing them even if we fail only makes us stronger. Let's Attack this week with purpose and fervor!

August 31st, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Let me start off by thanking all the cadets that chose to hangout with us at our first home football game and our Welcome Aboard Party. Also, to those that participated in the flag unfurling, "GREAT JOB! Way to represent! Kudos to the NS1s who jumped in to help.

But hey, this week's MSgt Moto is in reference to overall improvement and development. One of our matras is “Constant and Never Ending Improvement” another one is that we want to “Try to be Better than our Best Selves” These two matras, statements, declarations...are catchy, but how can we continuously improve? How can we be better than our best selves? Well I imagine there are a ton of ways...I would suggest that none of them are easy or comfortable. It has been said that growth happens outside your comfort zone. SOOOOooooo,

If you are striving to get better, then you are always growing. And if you are always growing, then you are not comfortable. To be the best, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable, and embrace it as a part of your growth process. The best in society see where there is room for improvement and their humility and passion drives them to improve. The average and mediocre ones however, don't see it or don't want to see it.

Future success is the result of how you work and prepare and practice and how you strive to improve every day. Future success takes the sacrifice of the immediate or instant type gratification. It is easy to procrastinate, it is uncomfortable to be consistently proactive and forward thinking. Attempting to be the best version of ourselves is a commitment that the best of the best make every week, every day, every hour, and every moment. Force yourself to be uncomfortable...to be uncommon...to be unforgettable. Be the best YOU that YOU can be...today and everyday. You can do it Cadets, I believe in you!

August 24th 2024

Motivated Cadets of Mine,

So if we want to improve in an area of our lives...a sure fire way to do that is to devote focused effort and time toward that area. We have to keep in mind that NOBODY can really manage time, meaning you can’t speed up or slow down a second, minute, or hour...but what you can manage are those things that take up your time. Everyone is allotted only 24 hours in a day/1,440 minutes in a day, 86,400 seconds in a day...no more-no less. It doesn't matter your age, race, or how much money you have. Time is equally allotted to every person...what we do with that time is the difference. If you are missing the mark somewhere in your life, maybe take a look at how much time you're investing in it. Similarly, maybe you can take a look at how much time you are NOT investing in it… check your average daily phone usage.

Cadets, if you want to improve you'll have to devote more to what it is you want to improve upon, which means you'll have to give less time to another area of your life. This fact urges us to take inventory of what is really the most important things in our lives. Listen to this…The most successful people succeed on purpose...they invest most of their time on their priorities.

The fact is….You, Me, Everyone has enough time for anything in this world, so long as it ranks high enough among our priorities. Academics, Learning, Fitness, improve in a sport, instrument, foreign language, our Health, Family, Friends!! -OR- is Social Media likes, video game high scores, YouTube Clips, and Binging Netflix more important...it's up to you...but as you may know by now, Time is irreplaceable. We never make time once it's gone.

Cadets, You Got This! Resolve to execute your priorities! I believe in YOU!

17 August 2024

Motivated Cadets of Mine,

One full week down and we are about to start another one! Let us attack all the challenges that approach us with a positive attitude. Cadets, I'm not suggesting that a positive attitude alone will overcome all your challenges, but I am saying that approaching your problem/challenge with a positive attitude will increase your chances. William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, over a century ago, said, "The greatest discovery of this generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their attitude." This is a powerful assertion that if regularly practiced can radically change your approach to facing life's problems.

There is no way to over state the importance of a positive attitude in your life...however, no one can underestimate the difficulty in maintaining it. Maintaining a positive attitude is not easy and it is a very personal thing, but it CAN BE DONE. The longer I live the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. Having a positive attitude is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. Cadets, the remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. You and you alone are in charge of your attitude...so if you are in charge then why not choose to be positive and joyful. Not to mention it is much more pleasant to hang around someone who has a positive outlook on things.

Motivated Cadets of Mine, let's attack this coming week with a positive attitude! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you!

5 August 2024

Motivated Cadets of Mine,

A salute to all my Motivated Cadets that participated in Summer Drill. I’m proud of those NS1s that chose to come and I’m especially proud of my NS2s, 3s, & 4s that made it happen. But hey… Here we are about to start a new school year, while simultaneously at the halfway mark of the calendar year. I propose we re-evaluate where we are and where we want to be. I’m hoping you put in some self-development work during the Summer. Speaking for myself, I have improved this Summer...but I am not where I want to be. I can do better!----- So Can YOU!

But we have to be willing to surrender who we are for who we want to become.

In some fashion or another we all want to be Smarter, Stronger, Faster, Better! I am here to tell you that YOU CAN. The only thing keeping you from having what you want is the story you tell yourself about why you can't have it.

Listen, as Cadets of the PVHS NJROTC Wildcat Company we proclaim to be different. HOW? We have the desire to improve…. the desire to Be Better Than Our Best Selves! With that desire coupled with Action, Discipline & Dedication there isn't anything we can't accomplish.

No More Excuses.

You may have heard me say this before, but now I want you to memorize it: "ANY EXCUSE IS A GOOD EXCUSE... IF YOU'RE WEAK ENOUGH TO USE IT!" Be demanding of yourself. I suggest we set Some Goals...Goals give us Direction. “One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” “If you aim for nothing, you'll hit it every time.” You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

22 July 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

There is an old stoic saying that goes something like, “If you're worried but CAN do something about it, then don’t worry... Don't worry cause you can and will do something to improve the situation.

But, if you’re worried and CAN'T do anything about it, then don’t worry.” Don't worry cause nothing can be done...it's not in your control.

Cadets, in life there are things we can control and things we can’t control. We can save ourselves some trouble when we are able to tell the difference between what is in our control and what is not.

Here is what I learned that is in our control NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE. They are:

Our Attitude, Our Effort, Our Behavior, and Our Actions.

Let’s focus on those things this week and just see the positive difference it makes. Remember, to have something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.

You can do it Cadets, I believe in you...heck, I even miss you too. Can't wait to see all my returning cadets and getting to know my new NS1s :)

July 13th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I want to remind you to: Be kind– Say thank you– Hold the door open– Compliment as many people as you can– Point out the good and… BE THE GOOD! In other words, treat others the way you want to be treated.

Cadets, politeness to others is usually born out of respect for the individual, which most of us learn as a child. Politeness and consideration for others are habits that—once developed—usually stay with us for a lifetime. While common courtesy may seem relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it is a reflection of more basic values. More importantly, if we develop the habit of respecting others, we are likely to command respect from them. Be a Leader and Lead By Example.

You Got this Cadets…Please don’t waste the opportunity to develop yourself into someone smarter, faster, stronger. Hold yourself accountable!

June 24th 2024

An ancient proverb says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” You have probably known people nearing the end of their life’s journey who looked back and said, “If I had done things differently… If only I had taken advantage of that opportunity when it came along.” Unfulfilled lives are filled with “if only's.

Life is filled with many opportunities—for great successes and spectacular failures. You are condemned to a life of mediocrity—unless you get into ACTION. Don’t let this summer escape without you capitalizing on self-improvement and self- development; do something today and everyday this summer that will make you proud of yourself. You Got this Cadets, I believe in you.

June 10th, 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Today is the first Monday of Summer...What and How will you invest your time. Will you be of service to others? Will you stay committed to your personal growth? Workout, Read, Eat wisely, and take care of your mental health. We have 59 days including the weekends until the first day of school. They will go fast...but will they be productive? Only you can make it so. Get after it Cadets, I believe in you!

June 1st 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Allow me to start my message with a hearty Congratulations to the class of 2024. I am confident the graduating Cadets will go forth and do great things. Graduates...if you're reading this...please don't be a stranger. Come visit and keep in touch. If I can help in any way, don't hesitate to ask.

To my returning Cadets...I want you to know that this is your Day, your Week, Your Summer. You can absolutely choose to invest two of your most precious assets (Focus and Time) into anything you desire in order to help you create what you want for this upcoming school year.

First, take some time to consider, to plan, to strategize, to lay out some goals, to explore your desires. Then-commit to doing what it takes no matter how tough. You can legitimately get to the next school year more prepared than you have ever been. It is your choice. Just remember that Nothing Happens if Nothing Happens… in other words if you want improvement you must DO Something! Do something productive. Invest in your development. There is Greatness within you.

I heard once before that, "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity."

Let your new identity include being the type of person who keeps promises to themselves. Again, please know I believe in each of you and am one of your biggest cheerleaders. Give yourself the gift of good decisions. Until our paths cross again...Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right!!

Keep your eye on the website!

May 26th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES!

Watch the ones ahead of you and you'll learn why they are ahead. Then Emulate Them. One of the surest ways to achieve success is to observe the actions of successful people, determine what principles they regularly employ, and then use them yourself.

So back in the day there was a gentleman by the name of Andrew Carnegie. He was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. The principles of success, as Andrew Carnegie said, “are definite, they are real, and they can be learned by anyone willing to take the time to study and apply them.”

This makes sense to me. Cadets, “Success,” as YOU define it… is out there for you if you are willing to do what it takes. Think about it, if you are truly observant, you will find that you can learn something from almost everyone you meet. And it isn't even necessary that you know them-know them. You may choose great people who are no longer alive. The Important thing is to study their lives, and then learn and apply in your own life the specific principles these people used to achieve greatness.

You are capable…the real question is are you willing? Are you willing to take time to sit alone and decide what success is to you/what success means to you…then, find someone who has already achieved the success you want and then begin the hunt and look for clues. What principles, values, and habits are driving them? Once you’ve done that- all that is left is to GET AFTER IT! Go to WORK; Head down, avoid distractions and GRIND; PERSEVERE and overcome your lazy, procrastinating ways. In other words, do what you don't want to do, in order to do what you want to do. Succeed by being Disciplined!! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you…

May 5th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I hope you had an amazing night last night at our 2024 Military Ball. I had a good time watching you have a good time. Especially watching my seniors. It is hard to believe you’ve nearly completed your high school journey… I hope you never thought I’ve taken you for granted. From the time we met, in my own way, I’ve attempted to convey to you that as good as you are, you have more inside you. So this MSgt Moto is especially for you Seniors:

Please know that LIFE WILL BE HARD. It's supposed to be hard. I don’t want you to run away from the Challenge, I don’t want you to complain about the Challenge, or even curse the Challenge. I want you to Embrace the Challenge... So allow me to share with you some more unsolicited advice…which I would have hoped that through my various lectures, debriefs, and random rants…that you would have already picked up on the underlying message…but if not, here it is…here is the big challenge of life…Incidentally, I got this advice from a mentor of mine whom I never actually met, his name Jim Rohn…I heard him say it to his audience and now I am saying it to you…

“You can have more than you got- because you can become more than you are…the other side of the coin is… unless you change how you are- you’ll always have what you’ve got.”

Motivated Seniors of Mine, it is OK to be nervous, unsure, worried, excited, fearful, or whatever emotion you’re feeling as you prepare for this next step…BUT you still have to take that step. If your parents could do it-so can you. If a knuckle-dragger like me can do it…SO CAN YOU! I believe in you Cadets. LET’S ALL FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG!

April 27th 2024

Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Allow me to start off by saying, “Thank You” to all my Motivated cadets who volunteered at the Elementary School Carnival and the Menifee Better Together- Kabien Park event… It is because of cadets like you that I burst with pride in being one of the The Mighty Wildcat NJROTC Company INSTRUCTORS!

Maybe you've heard by now that "Comparison is the thief of joy." What a logical statement. This is one reason as a Company we subscribe to, "Trying to be Better than our Best Selves” We are not trying to Beat anyone...rather we are trying to become the best versions of ourselves. It is not me against the World. It's Me against Me. How can I do better than I did yesterday? Can I be a better student? Can I be a better son or daughter? Can I be a better Leader, a better follower, a better friend, a better brother or sister? Can I be a better teammate? Can I be a better person...and the answer is unequivocally YES.

Becoming better than our best selves starts with having the DESIRE to be Better. You deserve to be the best you. Why settle for good when you have Greatness inside you!? Cadets, let us attempt to make this the best week yet. We are in the final stretch of the school year. I challenge you to: Study Harder, PT Harder, Sharpen your Focus, Deep Clean your room, Be nicer to your siblings, Read More...be on Social Media LESS, Meditate, Stretch, Write a hand-written Thank You Note to someone you appreciate. Listen More and Complain less. You Can Do It Cadets…I Believe In You!

April 21st 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Let me just say that Awards Night was amazing! You guys did absolutely Phenomenal! I was very impressed with how you sat there at the POA exercising an enormous amount of self-discipline by not slouching or being lazy with your posture.

Congratulations to all who earned accolades...and to those who did not get an award or the position that you believed you deserved...let me offer this perspective to you. When someone else achieves something that you would have liked to have received...instead of immediately criticizing them or wondering why I selected them instead of you...how about you challenge yourself to change the way you are looking at the situation.

You might be tempted to compare yourself to the person who got the award or position and say to yourself how you work harder, always give more, are more dedicated, etc. etc.? Then--- you might be tempted to tell yourself how you're so much better than that other person and that you "deserved" it more than them. If I am describing you right now...first please know I never meant to hurt you.

Second, I'd like you to ask yourself a different question. Why have you given so much to the program? Why have you sacrificed your time to learn more, to teach and help your fellow cadets...why do you come in early and stay late? Why do you work so hard on your uniform and spit shining your shoes? Why do you try so hard to be a positive example for your fellow cadets? Is your answer so that you can earn that ribbon, that medal, and that promotion...or... Is your answer because it is the right thing to do...because your junior cadets deserve to have a solid leader to follow, to emulate.

So could it be that you do the things you did and continue to do because YOU have Pride in the person you are becoming and because it was/is the RIGHT thing to do...especially if your endeavor is truly to become a Leader (a person of influence) ...which by the way has absolutely nothing to do with rank, billet, position, ribbons, or medals...Being a Leader has everything to do with helping others and having genuine concern for the development of the people (your people) in the organization you are a willing member of.

Cadets, let's celebrate each other's victories and accomplishments. Your candle is LIT... and it does NOT become less bright when someone else's candle gets lighted. Keep doing the right thing! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

April 6th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I like to believe that you chose to be a cadet because deep down you want more FROM yourself and you want more FOR yourself. In order to separate yourself from the masses you have to be willing to do what the others are not. Merely meeting the mark is not enough for someone who sincerely desires to see what they are capable of...someone who wants to tap into their Greatness.

Cadets Listen, inherently there is nothing wrong with being average...IF that is what you set out to be. BUT, if your desire is EXCELLENCE then going above and beyond the call of duty and doing more than others expect is what Excellence is all about. Striving, Maintaining the Highest Standards, Exercising Attention to Detail, and Going the Extra Mile is exactly what will set you apart now and in your future.

Cadets, in order to distinguish yourself, get noticed, and advance yourself...you need to DO & BE MORE. You have to rise above the average. You can do this by:

-Asking more of yourself than others ask

-Expect more from yourself than others expect

-Believe more in yourself than others believe

-Doing more than others think you should have to do

-Giving more than others think you should give

-Helping more than others think you should help

Doing more than is expected does more than just separate you from your fellow students/colleagues by earning you a reputation of performance...but even more importantly, it trains you to develop a habit for Excellence. All that compounds over time and continued Excellence expands your capabilities and your potential.

I believe in you and am glad you are one of my cadets...now, that Spring Break is almost over, let’s get ready to attack the rest of the month and school year with purpose and tenacity. You Can Do It Cadets, I Know it.

April 1st, 2024, (*Interesting fact, today is the Navy Chief’s Birthday)

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In every situation you have ever been in, positive or negative, the one common thread is you. It is your responsibility, and yours alone, to recognize that regardless of what has happened up to this point in your life, YOU are capable of making choices to change your situation, or to change the way you think about it. Don’t let the opinions of others interfere with this powerful truth. As a young teenager, you can choose to override the impulse of doing less or waiting to be told by your parents or some other authority. Your life can drastically improve by merely choosing to do more, to do the right thing rather than the easy thing.

What you’re capable of achieving is not dependent on what other people think is possible for you. What you’re capable of achieving depends primarily on what YOU choose to do with your time and energy. So stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. Hold Yourself Accountable and Elevate the Standards you have for Yourself! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

March 23rd 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

What a great AMI last Friday. Thank you for all your honest effort. I hope your parents enjoyed the Bamboo Tree story I shared with them. For you and for this week's MSgt Moto I want to talk about your personal commitment to yourself. Cadets, our minds are so fertile, yet our will-power and self-discipline are still so frightfully underdeveloped and fragile. It is my opinion that part of that fact is due to our world being so distracting..."click bait" everywhere. It's like we are being hypnotized by our phones and the incredible urge to watch Instagram, Tik Tok or other social media outlets to see what other people are doing...thereby doing nothing for ourselves. Doing this can knock us off our path of becoming better than our best self. How can we then hope to remain steady in any path or goal?

Herein lies the magic of perseverance, a virtue extolled by many successful people. Perseverance is an unshakable commitment to a path, a goal, an activity, or an ideal. It is firm and uncompromising. You can think of Perseverance as that voice in your subconscious that pokes you when you know you should be doing something different...something more productive.

Perseverance is your unsolicited partner who wants to see you succeed...who wants to help you combat procrastination. Perseverance doesn't ask how you are feeling today, or what you feel like doing now.

Perseverance is positive stubbornness in honoring ourselves, our word, and our vision. This vision and effort, then, will also affect everything else, and in turn become the dominating force in our lives.

If anyone deserves your absolute best...it’s YOU! So go forth and be true to tapping into your best self! Make those choices that serve your healthy growth and development and persevere through the challenges and temptations of life. You can do it. I believe in YOU!

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life...

March 17th 2024,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I wanted to use this week’s MSgt Moto to tell you a little story. I actually shared it during an after school debrief a long while back. It's a great story and bears repeating. Here it goes:

A son and his father were walking high in the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" To the son's surprise, he hears a voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Embarrassed and Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!" He receives in reply, "Coward!" The boy looks to his father and asks, "Dad, what's going on?" The father smiles and says, "Pay attention my son." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers, "I admire you!" Again the dad screams but this time he loudly exclaims, "You are a champion!" The voice answers, "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but still does not understand. Then the father goes on to explains, "Son, people call this an ECHO, but really this is LIFE.” Dad, What do you mean this is life?…the boy replied. The father goes on to say: “Son, this echo is like life in that it gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.”

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!

Cadets, if there is any truth in this last statement of Life being a reflection of you...then make sure you Act Right, Be Right, and Do Right! Give Your Life Your Best...You Deserve it! Take Care Cadets… Read, and Help around the house...also, it wouldn't hurt if you did a few push ups or something:)

March 10th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

One of my best friend’s, who I haven’t seen for a long time, surprised me and stopped by. He is currently stationed on the East Coast. Anyway, this guy can really cook. He is a master on the grill. We were talking about one of his favorite ways to marinate the different types of meat he cooks. Later- after our visit, as I prepared my thoughts for this week’s MSgt Moto...thinking about you guys and the conversation with my friend... my thoughts kind of merged and mixed.

Hear me out...what are you doing when you marinate meat? In a nutshell, you’re adding oils, herbs, and spices to further flavor the meat. How? The way I’m referring to requires you to soak the meat or immerse the meat. After a certain amount of time the meat becomes tenderized and basically embraces the flavor.

By this time you’re probably thinking, “Why is the MSgt telling me this?” Well, I was thinking our brains are very similar to the meat in my example. What are the "things" we marinate our brains with? To what do we give most of our brain’s focus? The marinade we use is the TikTok videos we see, the memes we read, the social media we scroll through, the movies and songs we watch and listen to. Have you ever taken into account the theme of all the stuff you look at?

How much of it is about sad stuff or insulting memes? How much time do you spend reading or writing rude or inappropriate posts and what about the number of posts & memes about depression or anxiety? Then there are the video clips of fights and stuff. Cadets, much of this stuff pops up on your feed without you even looking for it...you are being bombarded with all of these things and whether you realize it or not they contribute to your conscious thoughts and your subconscious mind.

When marinating meat for the BBQ, they say the key is to NOT leave the meat in the marinade for too long, as acids can weaken the protein structure of the meat too much, making it soft and mushy. I believe this is true for our brains as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying social media and TikTok videos are bad for us...I’m just saying we can’t leave our brains in there too long. Let us balance it with other things. Things that are healthy and beneficial, like exercise, reading, and outdoor hobbies. I hope I am not coming off too preachy, I just want you to know that there is joy, growth, and progress outside of that dang phone. Don't let your phone turn you into a zombie.

OK, Motivated Cadets of Mine... enjoy the rest of your day and remember that as an NJROTC Cadet you not only represent yourself and your last name...you also represent The Mighty Wildcat Company. Go forth and do great things! I believe in you.

March 3rd 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

So as you know I was out of pocket last week…I was taking care of some personal stuff in regards to my Mom’s passing. So I started to think about MY Emotions and emotions in general. It occurred to me that emotions are sometimes strange and unpredictable. They do not always respond to logic and reason. Because they don’t respond to logic or reason it seems impossible to think your way out of certain emotions. They do, however, respond to ACTION. If you have occasional feelings of sadness, loneliness, or discouragement, one of the best way to change or improve such negative emotions is to WORK them to death. Yes! You read that correctly…WORK them to death. I can’t cite any scientific studies or anything, but my experience tells me that almost nothing is as bad as it first seems, and there's nothing like a hard day's work to put everything in proper perspective.

When you begin to feel negative emotions, dwelling on your misfortunes only makes you feel worse. Do your best to put them out of your mind and think about more positive, constructive things. HOW? Believe it or not, physical labor can help. Choose a task that doesn't require a great deal of concentration, and then focus on accomplishing the task at hand. Lose yourself in the weight room, or picking weeds in your backyard, or on a long run. Do something like clean and move your room around. I promise you that with some type of positive, healthy ACTION you’ll give your mind a much needed break from the negative thoughts that are evoking those sad negative emotions…and with that break, your mind has a better chance of realizing that everything will be ok. Things will turn out better than you imagined- especially if you handled your emotions in a healthy fashion…at the very least you didn’t make it worse.

So let’s attack this week with some purposeful choices. Take charge of your actions and hold yourself to a higher standard than you have been lately. You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

February 25th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of MIne,

So what a busy weekend. We had some Motivators head down to the campus of the University of Southern California and attend a great leadership conference. I’m looking forward to their after action report. Simultaneously we had another group of Motivators who went to Ramona H.S. to compete in a Drone Competition. There were 20 teams that showed up…although we didn’t make the top 5- we weren’t last (booger). I feel like the Steelcats will absolutely improve. Anyway, today’s MSgt Moto was provided by Cadet Cesena. He came across this story and believed it would benefit us all. Enjoy.

“A farmer and his son had a beloved horse who helped the family earn a living. One day, the horse ran away and their neighbors exclaimed, “Your horse ran away, what terrible luck!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.

A few days later, the horse returned home, leading a few wild horses back to the farm as well. The neighbors shouted out, “Your horse has returned, and brought several horses home with him. What great luck!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the horses and she threw him to the ground, breaking his leg. The neighbors cried, “Your son broke his leg, what terrible luck!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, recruiting all boys for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son, because he had a broken leg. The neighbors shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!”

To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”

It is really impossible to tell whether anything that happens is good or bad. That’s why perspective is so important. Things may look great at the start, but over time it may not become what you had imagined it to be. Similarly, you feel bad about something but someday it could be one of the best things that happened to you. So therefore, take it day by day with whatever occurs in your life. Especially with the unsuspecting bad or good things. For they could blessings/lessons in disguise. Most certainly, do not let the stress, worry, and doubt overtake you.

For your mind can make simple or large matters seem much worse in your mind. Because if you do, it could start to tower over you and cause more collateral damage to other non-related things going on in your life.

Cadets, this is sage advice, don't let your mind play tricks on you. Do your best to keep a positive perspective. You got this Cadets, I believe in you.

February, 19th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In keeping with our Scholarcat Brain Brawlers who qualified for the State Competition...below are a few suggestions to keep your brains in tiptop shape. I hope everyone is able to positively capitalize on this time we have away from school. To my competitors, please keep getting your Reps in as we approach the Exhibition Competition next month.

February 12th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Only one team wins the Super Bowl. For each player on the Kansas City Chiefs going to Disney World, there is a player on the 49ers going home disappointed without the joy of victory.

It's a lot like life.

Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Sometimes our efforts allow us to win the game, earn the promotion or award and sometimes we lose and are not selected for that promotion or award. Sometimes even with our best effort we lose. Like us in our Super Bowl Drill Competition, we failed to achieve the results we were aiming for. Cadets, Winning matters. Losing matters. But in life what matters most is what we do with our wins and losses.

When we win, do we become complacent or stay humble and hungry? Even more important than what we do after our wins, is how we respond to our losses. Do we give up or come back stronger? Do we allow the loss to act like a cancer that eats away at us, or do we turn it into a learning opportunity that leads to our healthy growth? I’m confident we can reflect and regroup and start planning on how we are going to improve. I believe in you and I believe in us. Let’s keep our heads up and push forward.

February 3rd 2024

Motivated Cadets of Mine!!

Here we go into February...my question to you is how was your January? Did you give it your best? If not, why?

Listen, innately you already know what to do. You know the right answer(s) for you...you actually do know how much you need to study for the GPA you desire. You know how much to exercise for the fitness you want. You know exactly how to carry yourself to ensure the important relationships in your life are as strong as you’d like them to be. You actually know how much time is too much time on social media, video games, and TikTok. You already know!!...All you have to do is.... DO!

Sometimes...Most times (if we are totally honest with ourselves) we are our own biggest obstacles...our own worst enemy. But I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. Life is about CHOICES. And the mature YOU knows that you are in charge of your choices. Be your own SuperHero! Lead yourself in such a fashion that others would respect and admire how you carry yourself. Head Up! Shoulders Back! Chest Out…Now let's make February a month of Good Solid Choices.

28 Jan 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Cadets, we could all benefit from elevating our Mental Game. “MSgt, how do we elevate our Mental Game?” Glad you asked :) Cadets, “when you appreciate, you elevate.” You elevate your state of mind, you elevate your mood, you elevate your outlook, you elevate your performance, and you elevate the people around you. (That’s what leaders do…they elevate others- by serving others) They say you can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time, if that’s true, when you practice gratitude, you counter the stress that drains you. Very often Stress does not allow you to show up as your best self. So instead of focusing on what we lack, we should practice appreciating what we have. Where stress and selfishness cut off the flow of positivity energy into your life, gratitude for things big and small connects you to it all.

I want to encourage you to implement a daily gratitude practice such as a gratitude journal or a thank-you walk or write a few thank-you texts to friends and team members each morning that will elevate you and your state of mind…and by the way, it will make those who receive your thank you text feel special. Everyone likes to feel special. This week, I challenge you to go out of your way to exhibit gratitude and appreciation…do it to the people in your home, your teachers, your friends, and your fellow cadets. Smile and look to ELEVATE! You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

January 20th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

A few of the most important traits to me personally are: Integrity, Loyalty, Dependability. Today I wanted to give my take on what Dependability means. To me, Dependability is the cornerstone of good character.

People of character do what they say they will do, when they say they will do it, and according to agreed-upon conditions. Very often they under-promise and over-deliver. They are the LEADERS, the individuals to whom others turn to for guidance because they have demonstrated that they care, that they can be trusted. Cadets, If you respect yourself enough to keep commitments even when it's inconvenient to do so, others will come to respect you too.

Dependability, like any other character trait, is a habit. Begin today—to develop the Dependability habit. If you procrastinate or find it difficult to meet your commitments, start small. Promise yourself that you will be on time for example, and manage your time so that you are. Your ability to take charge of your time management will strengthen your Dependability muscle. Soon you will find that it's easier to keep other commitments as well. You can do it Cadets, I believe in You!!!

January 6th 2024

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Have you heard of Hercules? The legend of Hercules starts as a story about a young man who came to a crossroads one day in Greece, where the great hero had to choose between virtue (behavior showing high moral value) and vice (behavior with no moral standards). Was he going to choose the easy way or the hard way. Well, as it happens, each day, life presents us (you and me) with these small crossroads—moments where we must decide how to approach tasks and what actions to take. We are given a choice between the challenging path or the easier path. For example:

Should you apologize and take responsibility, or hope the issue goes unnoticed? Will you rise early or give in to the temptation of the snooze button? Do you choose to read a few pages of a book or mindlessly scroll through social media? Apple or Chips? Be kind or indifferent? Literally Endless opportunities to exercise your ability to choose.

These competing options…right vs. wrong, easy vs. hard, now vs. later, these competing options is exactly what Self-Discipline is for.

When faced with these small crossroads, a Disciplined Cadet knows precisely which direction to take… toward the choice that challenges them more. Self-Discipline aims to guide us away from the path of least resistance. We should attempt to strengthen the habit of choosing the more demanding option, actively seeking out challenges, and embracing discomfort. Remember, iron sharpens iron. You’ll not only benefit from the growth that comes from overcoming challenges but also from the willpower you develop by intentionally selecting the more challenging path. Cadets, let’s attack this second semester by demanding more of ourselves. We can do it cadets, I believe in us!

December 31st, 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Please forgive me for my lack of communication these last few days (via Remind/Website/text messages). I hope each of you have enjoyed your time off and have been able to overcome and dominate that “Lazy Monster” who always wants to jump on your back.

Cadets, I had a family tragedy hit and have been out of town, even as I write this I am still out of town. Very often when tragedy hits, it brings with it the mandatory self-reflection. So, for me…with this reflection- the principle of “Time” keeps presenting itself in the forefront of my mind.

Time never stops...not for the good, not for the bad. TIME keeps going. So with no dispute to this principle it would be wise for us to find comfort that our "bad" times...our trials and tribulations do not last forever. Although when you’re in the thick of it, it absolutely feels like it will. But we have to know it won’t. Additionally, this principle would also encourage us to be present with the "good" times in our life...because TIME keeps going. Savor the good times by appreciating people and opportunities.

Cadets, manage the UNSTOPPABLE principle of TIME through ensuring your priorities are set accordingly. Enter the semester and this coming 2024 year with the type of dermination that would make yourself proud. You got this cadets...I believe in you.

December 19th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

What are we going to do when we have the TIME to do “IT?” Do we take the path of least resistance? Do we take the easy way, the way of instant gratification?…Do we allow ourselves to be lazy? Hmm…Maybe those are not the right questions. Maybe the more powerful question, the more useful question, the more important question we should ask ourselves is, "What pain do we want in our life?” Said another way, “What are we willing to struggle for?” Like it or not Cadets, anything worthwhile is going to require some degree of pain and struggle…so if we orient ourselves toward the pain and struggle (if we exercise the courage necessary and face the pain and struggle) we are probably more aligned with what we are capable of accomplishing rather than if we just orient toward the pleasures. If we only do what we want- rather than doing what we must, we are setting ourselves up for a miserable future…By not holding ourselves accountable, not holding ourselves towards a higher standard we become our own worst enemy. It is our own lack of discipline that stifles our development. Don’t take the easy way out…don’t let the distractions of social media and screen time rob you of your self-discipline. You are better than that! You are Strong and Capable. I’m sure of it!

December 10th 2023,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine

We had 38 Cadets participate and assist at this last drill meet. We finished in fourth place over all…We can do better. I’m confident of it. What is it going to take? A few things but the biggest is a better execution of teamwork. Teamwork is a “cooperative effort by the members of a team to achieve a common goal.” The key words in the definition are cooperative effort. Without the support of the ENTIRE group, no team can long endure.

Cadets, a winning team is one whose members recognize that when one member of the team is successful, the entire team wins. Conversely, a sure way to develop a losing formula is to create an environment in which team members compete with one another instead of the opponent. OR when members of the team do not have TRUST & CONFIDENCE in one another. When all cadets give their best in every situation — whether they are only on PI and PT or if they are on every single competing group — the team wins, and so does each individual member of it. We are better than our most recent results. I implore you to recommit to your best effort and to proving your dependability to the team.

Let’s finish this semester strong! We can Do IT!

December 3rd

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In order to improve you must change. You can’t get better by staying the same. It's hard though, cause we don’t want to believe that who we are is not good enough. Listen, you are good enough right now…but, as good as you are you have BETTER in you. So it's not that you are changing who you are or compromising your identity, but rather you are adding to it…you’re evolving, you are leveling up. Look at it this way, the caterpillar can only become a butterfly if it is willing to sacrifice its caterpillar nature. Is there any place in life where you are being pushed to turn into a butterfly, but are resisting due to fear and attachment? Do you fear Self-Discipline and Self-Sacrifice? Are you attached to being comfortable?

If something inside you knows that what you could become is greater, and is still in alignment with your core values and goals, then let go of your caterpillar nature.

Cadets, as you’ve heard me say before, everything you do matters. It matters to your development, it matters to your mental health, it matters to your strength of character. You know what needs to be done, you just have to CARE enough about yourself to DO IT.

Attack the upcoming week and give yourself YOUR BEST! You can do it, I believe in you.

Nov 25th 2023,

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Feelings! Sometimes they inspire us and sometimes they lie to us. But as disciplined, capable Cadets we must not blame our feelings as to why we did not accomplish something. We LEAD our feelings…our feelings must NOT be allowed to Lead us. We must be able to discern between what’s in our best interest and what is not. Edit your behavior to accomplish the goals you have for yourself! Scientists and Researchers believe on average we have 60-90 thousand thoughts a day. And when we boil our thoughts and decisions down..it ultimately comes down to these two questions: Here is something I know I’m supposed to do- that I really don’t want to do… Can you make yourself do it? Here is something you’re not supposed to do… but you want to do it…can you keep yourself from it? Leadership is something that you implement in your everyday life, even if you don't realize it…Because you LEAD yourself. Act Right, Be Right, & Do Right…YOU DESERVE IT!

November 20th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

In the spirit of Thanksgiving this week- for this MSgt Moto I'd love to share with you the benefits and power of two simple words. THANK YOU.

They are two words that have the power to show respect, display appreciation, exhibit unselfishness and even transform our health and happiness. Research shows that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships. Some scientists and researchers believe it's actually physiologically impossible to be stressed and thankful at the same time. They go on to say when we are grateful we flood our body and brain with emotions and endorphins that uplift and energize us rather than the stress hormones that drain us.

Gratitude is like muscle. The more we do with it the stronger it gets. In this spirit, here are 3 ways to practice Thanksgiving every day of the year.

1) Take a Daily Thank You Walk - Take a simple 5-10 minute walk each day and say out loud what you are thankful for. The things you are thankful for can be as simple or complex as you like. Some of the things I am thankful for include the health and well being of my wife and daughters, having a job I love, having the honor and privilege to contribute to your growth and development, my sight & hearing, indoor plumbing :)

2) Meal Time Thank You's - On Thanksgiving, or at any meal time, suggest to whoever you are eating with to say what they are thankful for. This could get the positive vibes flowing.

3) Gratitude Visit - Martin Seligman, Ph.D., the father of positive psychology, suggests that we write a letter expressing our gratitude to someone. Then we visit this person and read them the letter. This person can be a friend, a family member, a teacher…anyone. Doing this would give that person a joyful feeling and you’d be the reason for that joy…which would make you feel good too. Win-Win.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. Thank you for being a Motivated Cadet. I'm thankful for YOU. Now go to some chores, reps, homework!

Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

November 12, 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Have you ever told yourself that you’re going to make something happen and then you ended up procratinating or playing or scrolling on your phone and then did nothing? When this happens to us, I believe it's because we didn’t have the right habits in place. Our habits truly make or break us. Because in all walks of life we become what we habitually do. We will never make progress or change our life until we change something we do. The secret to our success is always found in our daily habits and routines. Creating new healthy, positive habits won't be easy, but it will be worth it. On the flip side, we have to be cautious and aware because slipping into unhealthy, unproductive habits. Let's commit to creating the best version of ourselves everyday. We can do it Cadets...I believe in us.

November, 4th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine...for this week's post, I am sharing Cadet Cesena's inspirational perspective...

Good Morning Master Sergeant, I made this quote myself and thought I would share it with you. If you would like to share it go right ahead :)

"Just as a tree loses it’s branches, colorful leaves, and withers down each year…it still births back into this beautiful, colorful, and taller new tree."

Meaning:

We may wither, lose people, and other things like leaves. Maybe lose even a part of ourself or a branch of our being, but with each fall and set back…their is a chance to become a stronger, more beautiful, and more resilient being. We have to persevere and think of the setbacks as roadblocks, that will only set us up to be stronger and greater people.

You may wither or get beat down to a point where we don’t know how we’re gonna get back up or move forward. That’s why you have to think positively, have a positive personality and trust God’s planning (Or Life’s Planning) that it all will work out because it will. Your story is still being written dont give up now when you still have much potential, so much to offer and give to the world. You have gone through a lot and constant tough battles in your life, some you thought might not have been possible to get back from. Yet you’re still here, still fighting, and still are successful. You can accomplish and beat anything…as long as you don’t give up and set limits to yourself

Hope you enjoyed

Sincerely,

c/PO3 Cesena, 5th Platoon.

October 29th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

“If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.” You know that already, right? Because it's common sense.

Cadets, so many of us don't listen to our own better judgment. We know better...I heard once before that many of us know what to do...but few of us do what we know. In fact, the biggest difference between those of us who are making positive changes in our lives today and those of us who aren't is not one’s superior abilities, but the COURAGE that one has to take CONSISTENT action.

It’s not about who is already stronger, faster, smarter, better...it is about who has the dedication to improving their strength, speed, intelligence, and all around improvement. It is about our desire for constant and never-ending improvement. It is about our desire to tap into the greatness that is already inside of us...WE ALL HAVE IT...But who is willing to put in the work to dig deep within themselves? Cadets, I believe you can do it.

October 21st 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of mine,

The environment can play a part in who you become...but as you mature into a young adult your ability to think and choose becomes the Super-Power that most controls the creation of your Life. Your life is a stream of tiny moments. Your destiny is a stream of tiny choices. Think about that for a second...your destiny (how you end up in life) is based on every choice you make...especially the tiny ones that lead you to bigger ones.

Sometimes we tend to zoom out too much, think too much of the big choices in life, the big commitments, our life purpose and goal. It’s important to have clarity about these things, no doubt. But the real difference is made in our tiny choices, moment after moment. That is where the rubber meets the road. Yes, having an idea of what college or profession you want to get into upon graduation is important...but so is that project that is due in two days, so is choosing to re-write those notes, so is choosing to respect the wishes of your parents and completing those daily chores.

A Cadet's performance in a competition is the result of all the choices he or she made in every moment of their training before the competition. Of course, the choices they make during the performance itself are also crucial, but they can hardly compare with the mountain of choices they made before that. What to eat, how much sleep they get, water consumption, stretching, training volume. It’s the same in our family life, professional pursuits, and spiritual development. For example, do you want to develop peace of mind and compassion? Well, then ask yourself, in every moment, “Am I choosing peace and compassion right now?” When in class, at practice, speaking with friends and others, on the computer: email, social media—any time! Ask yourself, “Are the choices I am making congruent with the type of person I seek to become.” I can say with 100% certainty that every choice we make (regardless of the size) is either taking us closer or further away from the future we desire for ourselves. As you’ve heard me say many times before, “Everything you do matters; Everything you say matters, and Everything you think matters.”

So in conclusion…Motivated Cadets of Mine, let us be always aware of the value and importance of the stream of daily “tiny” choices we make. Again I say, your Point of Power is Always in the Present Moment. Choose Wisely...Your Future Depends on it! So let’s attack this week with purpose and intention…You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

Oct 15th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

It is Official Paloma Valley hosted the FIRST Area 21 Brain Brawl. It will go in the history books. And the best part about it is our performance will be the standard for others to emulate! Cadets, it is my desire to be the worthy instructor of the BEST NJROTC Organization in the Nation. How can I do that when I'm not the most experienced or educated? I'm not the strongest or most knowledgeable...I'm not the most creative...I'm not the most connected and if that wasn't enough...I have a hard time asking for help. How can I make myself worthy to call myself the Naval Science Instructor of The Mighty Wildcat Company??

I Will Be CONSISTENT in my Honest Efforts even when I'm not in the mood.

I Will Be PERSISTENT in Pushing Myself to do more than is Expected even when I'm not in the mood.

I Will be RESILIENT even when times are tough... I WILL NEVER GIVE UP... I will not stop. I will demand HardWork from myself even when I'm not in the mood.

What is my WHY toward this Desire?

YOU!

You are my reason...YOU ARE MY WHY! THE COMPANY! YOU'RE WORTH IT. Let’s attack these next two weeks coming up as we prepare to host the FIRST Area 21 Field Meet…and again make the history books. Assignments for the drill meet will be issued by Wednesday. More info to follow.

Oct 8th 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine!

Today’s MSgt Moto is going to focus on “Self-Confidence.” What is self-confidence? According to the dictionary it is a feeling of trust in your own abilities, qualities, and judgment. If this definition is accurate, people without self-confidence must not trust themselves. Is this you? Do you have self confidence? If not, have you ever wondered why? Maybe because the only person who has ever heard every lie you ever told is YOU. People who have this lack of self-confidence have this wishy washy way of being...so you don’t have confidence because you’ve broken your word to yourself so many times in the past you can’t believe a word you say. What if starting now…the things you say became a covenant that you make with yourself? So now you trust yourself cause you rather die in HONOR keeping your word than to live in DISHONOR and not keep your word. In case no one has ever literally told you… Your past doesn’t have to be your future. Just because you used to be a certain way or you used to _______________ (fill in the blank) doesn’t mean you can’t change. YOU CAN! You ALWAYS have the choice to Act Right, Be Right, & Do Right. The point of power is always in the present moment. You can do it Cadets, I believe in you.

October 1st 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Just a quick shout out to all the Cadets who went through the Basic Leadership Training Course this weekend, as well as all the NS2s, NS3s, & NS4s who were BLT Instructors, A-Gunners, and Platform Instructors…A Hearty Thank You to the Alumni that taught classes (Cortez, R; Bollos, Ce; Barnes, L; Fontelera, Testado & Krause) I am humbled by the unselfish nature of all my cadets past and present.

This weekend was a fine display of “Choice.” Three things you control every day are your ATTITUDE, your EFFORT, & your BEHAVIOR(Actions).

It doesn’t matter what others are doing or not doing… it doesn’t matter who you think is being unfair, lazy, or less than kind… What does matter is YOU and how YOU choose to show up. Cadets, we stand apart from the masses, the crowds and hordes of the mediocre and average by how we go about choosing our Attitude, by the amount of effort we put forth in any given endeavor and by how we choose to behave/act in any given set of circumstances.

Although not particularly easy… Every day YOU can focus on being positive, working hard and making others around you better. You can do it Cadets…I believe in you.

Sept 22nd 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I’d love for each of you to give more of your focus to a positive future. I believe when we develop a Positive Mental Attitude, we immediately set ourself apart from the crowd. Positive thinking leads to positive action, while negative thinking leads to apathy and inaction. In order to lead, however, you must first be willing to DISCIPLINE yourself. One of the significant rules in leadership is to never ask others to do what you are unwilling to do yourself. You can lead only BY EXAMPLE.

Being a leader requires you to work harder and longer than the others. As you’ve heard me state before, “Leadership is a Burden, you have to Love.” Not everyone desires the burden of higher standards...especially if they are not in the "mood" to exercise a higher standard. If a leader has trouble in bringing BRILLIANCE in the basics, how can their followers expect them to perform in the “not so basics”. Cadets, allow me to emphasis again that your appearance matters, your vocabulary matters, your courtesy matters, your honest effort matters…everything you do matters. BE the type of person that you yourself would admire.

Let's attack the week with intentionality. We can do it cadets!

September 16th 2023

(Sharing an email from Motivated Cadet of Mine,)

Good morning MSgt, I am emailing to tell you a story I have when I visited DC. I visited Arlington to see all the stuff they had like the Tomb of the unknown soldier and the resting place of the thousands men and women who payed the ultimate price. When I first walked in I was shocked, I knew our nation is over 300 years old but it never dawned on me how much service men and women we have, every headstone has a story to tell in stone, we carve our heros in stone so that they are permanent, their legacy lives on longer than we do. I had a similar experience when I visited the 9/11 museum in New York. There's a section where it shows a face of everyone who tragically lost their life, and at that moment it really hit me, 3000 is a massive number when it's right in front of you. When walking around Arlington It made me appreciate our service men and women so much more and when I saw the tomb gaurd it gave me a message. Even the unidentified men and women are not forgotten, even though their names are lost to time their legacy lives on and the tomb gaurd is the one to protect that legacy, they make sure all those people who have been unidentified are not forgotten. The thing that really made me go "wow" was I was walking around and I heard cannons and shortly after that I very faintly heard taps playing. It was a experience and feeling I don't think I'll ever forget.

Sincerely, Cadet Pena

Cadet Pena, You are absolutely correct...when you see the Arlington National Cemetary with your own eyes...a different reality desends upon you. I too have been there and I concur 100%. We all should be grateful to those men and women who took the burden of responsibility so that others could fully enjoy the freedom provided...but make no mistake, Freedom is not free.

September 2nd 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

I want to dedicate this week’s MSgt Moto to all the cadets who took on the challenge of the Battlecat Indoctrination along with the Battlecats who ran the Indoctrination. Motivators, in the weight room…it is the ”Resistance” of the heavy weights that builds your strength over time. Provided you don’t give up and you keep pushing/pulling/trying, you will develop Strength. The resistance can be looked at as “Adversity.” Said another way, it is the adversity that provides the resistance necessary to develop the strength to overcome great obstacles.

This strength I am referring to- consists of self-confidence, perseverance, and, more importantly, self-knowledge. I’m suggesting that those cadets that CHOSE to become a Battlecat in essence CHOSE the struggle, the adversity, the resistance, in order to build STRENGTH…in order to build self-confidence, perseverance, and self-knowledge. I am 100% convinced all of this will enhance their likelihood of success in their future endeavors after high school. So again I say, Congratulations! Let’s look forward to the resistance this competition year will bring. For whatever ends up happening, we will get stronger. Let’s have a great week!

27 August 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

This is an email I received from Cadet Pena. I appreciated it so much that I wanted to share the message with you all. Here it goes:

Good evening MSgt, I hope this message finds you well, I am emailing to tell you of a quote (metaphor) I recently found and what it means to me, "You put a egg in boiling water it gets hard, you put a potato in boiling water it gets soft" what this means to me is that if it's a stressful environment it's not the environment it's the individual. It's who can learn from it and get stronger or will you just sit there and take it becoming nothing but mush. You can either be the egg or the potato and get stronger from it or fold. Another thing on what it means to me is it's not the enviroment that's against you-- it's like what you say at morning pt some days-- "your mind is playing tricks on you" telling yourself I can't do one more rep. When really it's self vs self. If the enviroment is stressful and you just take it and don't learn, OR you can be the egg and learn and get stronger from this. There's a line from a song I heard when I was younger that I heard today, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I personally think this fits right in with the quote. Stress is a learning environment, it's just up to YOU how you take it. Do you either collapse and do nothing about it or do you take it and learn from it making you stronger.

____________________________________________________

I do agree... Stress, albeit an uncomfortable situation, can be a fantastic teacher if we are willing to endure it intelligently. Can we attempt to extract the lesson from this struggle that is building strength? Can we hold on to the wisdom and let go of the trauma? Not an easy task...but definitely useful. Cadets, Let's attempt to have a week we can be proud of. Do the things you know will be in your best interest.

Aug 20th, 2023

Dear Motivated Cadets of Mine,

Let me start off by saying Thank You for a great week 2 of the school year. The Parent Orientation was a success, the football game was a cool experience and the Welcome Aboard Party was a smashing success. A special Thank You to our Most Valuable Parent Group.

For this week’s MSgt Moto I wanted to speak about the POWER of Effort. The POWER of Showing Up. The EFFECT of Trying, even when the results are not as favorable as you would like. A lot of times people choose the path of least resistance or will just plain convince themselves they should not even try. They are afraid. Afraid of many things…among them is of trying their best and finding out that their best wasn’t yet good enough. But Cadets, it’s not the mistakes and failures you have to worry about the most, it’s the opportunities you miss when you don’t even try that hurt the worst. Trying — truly trying — always leads to some level of success, regardless of the outcome. Even mistakes and failures teach you what not to do next time. Every outcome, good or bad, is a lesson that makes you stronger and wiser over time. So keep reminding yourself that in the end there’s only one thing that makes our goals and dreams impossible to achieve: the failure to try. Because the results you achieve in life are not based on what you plan to do or what you say you’ll do. Your results come from what you actually try and do consistently!

Let’s have an amazing week Cadets. Let’s TRY our Best in each of our classes and with all our responsibilities. Let’s be committed to giving our EFFORT, Showing Up, and overcoming our fear of TRYING our BEST. We can do it… I believe in US.

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