Page 6 - BSB_7_23

On The Cover: NJROTC - Developing LeadersTBy Lou Duganhis month Bulverde & SpringBranch Highlights spotlights theNavy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Pieper High School and student Cindy Nguyen.The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964. “The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as wellas maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation, and meteorology.Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities of community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, flights, visits to naval or otheractivities, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training.” Next year Nguyen will be a senior cadet completing a 4-year elective in the program. She reflects and relates that its values have molded her into the person she is today.NJROTC Has Touched The Life Of A High School StudentBy Lou DuganNext year Cindy Nguyen will be a senior cadet completing a 4-year elective in the NJROTC program at Pieper High School. “I’m looking forward to accomplishing more and enjoying my last year in the program as a high school student,” Nguyen said. “I’m excited to move forward and start preparing for college. I plan on applying for ROTC scholarships and continuing with the ROTC program in college.”“In the beginning of freshman year, I was picking electives and I wanted to just try out the class to see if I would like it or not. My dad had brought up the idea,” Nguyen said. “Honestly, I didn’t think it was for me, but I ended up really enjoying it. I learned that the program taught good values such as discipline and courage, which I liked, and it really took me out of my shell.”“Being in the program has molded me into a much more confident person than I was,” Nguyen added. “Being able to stand in front of and lead a group of kids my age has pushed me to be more confident and be a good role model to those around me.Cindy NguyenAnd that means me being the absolute best that I can possibly be. It’s given me a lot of leadership qualities. From working hard in school and getting good grades to helping wherever I can, I have improved as a person. It has changed me in the best way possible. It has given me a more patrioticview and I very much appreciate those who came before me and those who are serving right now even more. I have learned that it’s tough work both physically and mentally. It’s not easy to leave home or constantly be gone from loved ones. It’s not easy to push yourself every single day. I don’t think enough people realize how hard it is until they’ve experienced it. And again, it’s made me respect our soldiers and our country a lot more.”The first week of June, Nguyen attended the Leadership Academy Camp at Texas A&M Kingsville to compete with other area schools. Competition included leadership classes, drill, physical training, and swimming. Nguyen earned the Honor Cadet award.What advice about NJROTC does she offer other high school students: “I would say that you’re going to push your own limits and gain lots of good traits that anyone would want. You will have a lot of fun if you’re involved and you won’t regret it. It is an amazing program for highschoolers.”Promotion to Executive Officer along with ranking up to an Ensign. She is now the Commanding Officer in her platoon.Recognizing Our Military & VeteransA Family Hero -Msg MikeCastaneda Pena Submitted By Edward Penato dismount and report for service as a Dismounted 1st Cavalry Division in the WW II’s Pacific Theater.MSG Pena served in the US Army in the liberation of the Philippines and the occupation of Japan after WWII ended. When the call for action came for the Korean War, Mike once again reported for duty. MSG Mike C Pena was killed in action in the battle of Waegan in Korea on September 5, 1950.He received many awards such as Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two oak leaves, Philippines Military Merit Medal and the most prestigious being the Posthumous Medal of Honor in 2014.This year, he was nominated, and hisU ncle MSG Mike C. Peña has always been my family hero. He joined the Army when he was a few months short of his 16th birthday in Houston, Texas. I never got to know him personally as he was killed in action in Korea in 1950. My mom told me he always wanted to serve in the US Army and protect ourfreedom.We are honored to introduce MSG MikeCastaneda Pena, a native Texan, a Veteran of the U S Army during peace time Border Patrol Duty in Texas, in World War II (South Pacific Islands and Occupied Japan) and Korean Peninsula (Korean War).This brief summation of MSG Mike C. Pena’s life is to serve as an abbreviated flow of what his ten-year Military life entailed. Mike was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 6, 1924, and at birth was named as his father’s namesake, Miguel.6As life evolved, Miguel and the Pena Family chose to use Mike, as his formal name. He grew up in the Texas coastal region until his middle teens and then jokingly talked with an Army recruiter, who started Mike on his military career.Mike wanted to be in the Horse Cavalry, and he did. He enlisted in the U S Army in Houston, Texas on September 13, 1940. He spent several months of his first year’s Army career on basic horsemanship training at Fort Clark, Brackettville, Texas. After training, he was assigned to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas for duties as a Texas Border Patrol member of the 1st Cavalry Division which included rough-riding and patrolling the U S / Mexican border from El Paso to Del Rio.Technological progress of the early 1940’s diminished the usefulness of horse-mounted soldiers, and the 1st Cavalry Division was eventually orderedfamily is waiting for Governor Abbott to sign his approval to receive the Texas Congressional Medal of Honor.Mike Johnson SMSgts (ret)MSubmitted By Hermie Talamantezike Johnson had made a militarylife a way of life. He spent hishigh school years as an Army Brat. His formative years combined witha 22-year career in the Air Force (15 years overseas), Mike had become accustomed to moving every 1 to 3 years. 30 years ago,Military - continued on page 7 July 2023www.bsbhighlights.com