Joint Service Review is an honored
tradition where all three ROTC units (Air Force, Army, and Naval) march in a
formal military parade and conduct a joint Pass and Review. The University of
Minnesota hosted this event on Saturday April 23rd and family and
friends were encouraged to come watch. We were able to get first hand accounts
of the event from five cadets who were all in different leadership positions.
Cadet
Hubert was the AF contact, and played a key role in planning, set up, and
rehearsals.
“Joint Service Review was an incredible
experience. It was a joint operation, headed by the Navy. Staff Sergeant Lomeli
was the one in charge, making sure every movement and command was correct.
Master Sergeant Berube was always present at each practice, helping out in any
way that he could. As JSR week began, practices started at 0600 every morning
for those Key Personnel as well as those in charge. Color Guard was also at
these practices. The Color Guard was combined of Air Force Cadets, Army Cadets,
as well as Navy Midshipmen. Each branch had their own flat as well as the
American Flag and the POW flag. Once Wednesday hit, all hands started
practicing. This is where the entire detachment from Air Force, and each Army
and Navy Unit were present. Practices ran each day from 0600 to 0800. On
Friday, we were all able to participate in the Annual Moto Run. This is to
build the comradery between the branches as well as get a good two and a half
mile run in before the actual ceremony. Once Saturday hit, practice began at
0800. Cadets and Midshipmen arrived and went through an entire run through.
This included the narration, the awards, the band playing, and the pass in
review. The Joint Service Review Ceremony began at 1300. Over 50 guests
attended, as well as many retirees and active duty military were present.
Overall is was a great success and we are excited for next year's Joint Service
Review.”
C/Hubert
Cadet A.
Burneske was in charge of conducting the band.
“ I was the JSR
band director this year. The band is open to any cadet or midshipman who has
some background playing a wind or percussion instrument. This year there were
about 15 of us. We started rehearsing about three weeks before JSR because many
of our members haven't played for years or months. They can really use the
extra practice! By the time the week of JSR came, we were playing quite well.
At that point it was time to practice aligning our music with the cues from the
JSR script. That part isn't too difficult though; we spend more of our time
making the music we have work with what ever combination of instruments we have
and coming up for clever solutions to problems we run into. For example, Cadet
Knapp had to transpose an entire clarinet part so she could play with us
because we didn't have any music for her to play on her flute. All of the
cadets and midshipmen worked really hard and JSR went really well. It
definitely helped that we had a tuba and three trombones this year. We also had
a really strong trumpet player which helped on the Air Force song and Army
song. I think this was the best JSR band I've seen in my four years of playing
with ROTC.”
C/Burneske
Cadet Bendler
ran the Eagles drill team.
“Along with the joint Pass and Review, the rifle drill
teams from each branch come together in the days leading up to the Review and
create a joint drill performance. Our detachment's rifle drill team is called
the Eagles Drill Team, and JSR is the culmination of the work we put in every
year. This year the Navy drill team commander created the rifle routine that
all of the branches then learned and participated in. We only had about a week
and a half to learn this new routine, and due to some last minute changes, we
needed to find another Cadet to perform with us. So a replacement was sought
out, less than a week before the performance, and Cadet Harris was found. I
think he was the real MVP of this performance, because he came in so soon
before a big performance like this and kept practicing and by the time JSR
rolled around he did great. Besides Cadet Harris, the team was comprised of
Cadets Pederson, Zastrow, Knapp, Braun, and myself (Bendler). The rifle routine
went very well, with only a couple small mistakes, but I mean its hard to
be perfect when you're throwing 9 pound rifles through the air!”
C/Bendler
Cadet Brown remained in formation, took part in the formal
parade and the joint Pass and Review, and was able to accept an award on
another cadet’s behalf, as well as one of his own.
“JSR was great! This was actually my first JSR. Normally I leave town
around this time to travel to Duluth or to one of the Ojibwe nations. I was lucky enough to be on the working party at
0630 to help set-up and it was a fun way to start the day. We got a jumpstart
on the inter-service bonding and had the chance to get breakfast before
practice began. The ceremony was not nearly
as painful as everyone makes it out to be. It should be a welcomed affair for
only having it once per year. My favorite part was accepting the award for Cadet
of the Year. It was an honor to march in front of all of our guests and the
platoon to receive the award from Lt. Col Grupe. I think she even winked and
said, "Congratulations Cadet Bryson." After all, I was accepting the
award on his behalf. Overall JSR was a very
positive experience. It is awesome that we get the opportunity to come
together with the other branches for a formal awards ceremony and pass in
review. I doubt many others do. I might even have to make sure I'm available to
do it again next year.”
C/Brown
Cadet Scholl also
stood in formation for the entirety of the two-hour ceremony and participated
in the formal parade.
“As the University of Minnesota is one
of the few locations with all branches of service represented in ROTC, every
year a military parade is executed as a chance to demonstrate the training that
all cadets and midshipmen go through.
While standing in
formation for an extended period of time may not be the most enjoyable way to
spend a Saturday afternoon, it is an amazing chance for cadets to demonstrate
their discipline and military bearing (hopefully without passing out) that they
have developed. Fortunately, the distance from the audience means that a little
swaying and leg-shaking can go unnoticed and keep the blood flowing. It is also
a chance for individuals to have their accomplishments recognized and rewarded
with a variety of awards on the day of. This is a great honor; however awarded
cadets may say that getting out of formation is also as rewarding. All in all,
it was a motivating and morale-raising event that cadets feel accomplished for
completing.”
C/Scholl
