Post 558 Infantry Explorers Train Sea Scouts in Drill & Ceremony

Tuesday night, March 23rd, 2021 a uniting of three Scouting Councils, Greater Los Angeles Area, Long Beach Area and Orange County Area and three Scouting groups took place at the Long Beach Sea Base. Cadets from Post 558 Infantry Explorers, a BSA Learning for Life Explorers Program; located at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training base along with Scouts from Monrovia Troop 66, Sea Scout Ships 550 Malolo; 564 Conquest & 566 Sea Wolf participated in a drill and ceremony training to sharpen and hone their skills with stationary drills that consisted of drill movements that are accomplished without marching. The drill positions of attention and parade rest are two perfect examples. Other stationary drill commands include parade rest, at ease, left (or right) face, about face, fall out. Some commands, such as eye left or right and hand salute, can be accomplished while moving or while stationary. These are the basic drilling skills that each Sea Scouts to master. These types of skills ensure proper discipline within the crews of the ships.

Boatswain Carina Lizarraga from SSS Conquest 564 and Boatswain Spencer Garcia from SSS Sea Wolf 566 practice these types of skills with their crews each week before and after the meetings which in turn these ceremonies become a natural part of the Sea Scouting program training. These skills are carried out at Land Ship, ship meetings and as a part of some social activities, they satisfy the desire of young adults for ritual and structure. They also help develop habits of conduct essential to the salty atmosphere and discipline of a program based on nautical traditions and activities. Ensuring proper drill also instills order and command onboard. For example, when drilling raised voices and yelling are common, this accustoms the Scout to following orders during stressful moments on the sea.

The Ceremonies of Sea Scouting are colorful and should be carried out with promptness, smartness, and dash. This gives your crew the utmost pride and satisfaction that can come from membership in a first-rate Ship. By far the most essential elements in successful ceremonies are the dignified atmosphere and enthusiastic leadership provided by the Skipper, Boatswain and First Mates.

Boatswain of Ship 564 Carina Lizarraga had this to say about the training, “This invaluable event working with the JFTB Post 558 Infantry Explorers opened my eyes and gave me skills to immediately put into practice to become a better boatswain to Ship 564. I highly recommend all Sea Scouts to engage in the next training experience.” Carina’s mother, Arlene Lizarraga who was in attendance had this to say regarding the event “As parents, we hope and pray for our children to develop leadership skills that impact the lives around them. What I saw at the Sea Base when JFTB Post 558 Infantry Explorers joined the Sea Scouts in a drill practice for the very first time, moved me. I am thankful for the examples found in these fine young men and for the advice they gave specifically to my daughter who serves as a boatswain. She feels more confident and capable as a result. I hope these cadets come back again and realize the positive affect they have on our young people. I am certain their families are very proud of them.”

Drill and ceremony is all about proper bearing and how you conduct yourself in a respectful manner. Proper drill has always been a part of Sea Scouting and it is a way for us to show honor and respect for someone ranging from heroic deeds to the burial of a military person who has passed away. Drill and ceremony is one of the first things Sea Scouts learn when they enter the program along with basic seamanship, nautical terminology and on the water safety. It helps develop pride and confidence in their actions, learning professionalism and most importantly, it teaches them how to work as a crew. Long Beach Sea Scouts continue to honor the traditions of those Scouts that have come before us. It builds esprit de corps: a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion. A lot of training goes into executing drill and ceremony. It bonds us together as on, so no matter who is giving the commands, we all understand how it is supposed to be carried out.

Conducting ceremonies does not get attached to discipline very often, but you must be disciplined in drill and ceremony. You do not want to be that person who is out of step or the one who misses a movement. You want to show the proper respect, namely, when you are hoisting the ensign and jack flag. This training allows us to keep up our Sea Scout traditions, to show pride, respect and to allow us to mature into strong maritime leaders.

A special Thank You to Post 558 Cadet Teams Leader C/CPL Chen who commanded the training with his three teams. Alpha Team: C/CPL Mok, C/PV2 Caballes and NC D. Lazzara. Charlie Team: C/SGT Caballes & NC Uebele. Delta Team: C/PV2 Han & NC M. Lazzara. Another Special Thank you to Post 558 Advisor SSgt Paul Nguyen and Advisor Justin Lazzara.