Title:
Preparing for Duty at the U.S. Naval Academy
Description: This is
a VOA Special English General News Report.
See text below
Text:
One of America's leading centers of higher learning
is the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis,
Maryland. The Naval Academy creates naval officers
from its more than 4,000 students. Commander Chris
Thomassy is the Academy's director of sailing. He
says the centuries-old skill of sailing is valuable
in the modern world.
CHRIS THOMASSY: "We're a part of the Professional
Development Department. And sailing is a big part of
that because there you're going to learn character
and leadership attitudes."
These students are some of America's best. But even
after a four-year study program, there is more to be
learned. Laura Martindale is one of the first women
ever chosen to serve on a submarine.
LAURA MARTINDALE: "This place teaches you how to
follow and lead. And when you're going out into the
Navy, you're going to be in charge of 40 sailors and
marines, it's a really important piece of your
identity is knowing who you are and where you want
to go. And, this place really changes you."
Midshipman Jaclyn Jordan is preparing for a career
in flying.
JACLYN JORDAN: "Yes, sir. I'm going to be a Naval
flight officer, going to Pensacola for flight
school."
Being a member of the United States Navy also means
being ready for war. Teacher Bill Karditzas shows
how to use a gun.
BILL KARDITZAS: "In order to carry a pistol in the
Navy, a person will have to go through a
qualification process."
Students at the Academy must be in top physical
condition. At nearly any time of day, people
exercise, train for a sport or just play with their
classmates. Perhaps the most important quality
students learn is leadership through honor. These
students seem to understand this.
LAURA MARTINDALE: "Honor, courage and commitment
isn't something we just put on a poster and think
about later. It is something we are expected to live
and participate in actively every day."
Midshipman Matthew Evans agrees.
MATTHEW EVANS: "Knowing that we are going to be in
charge of people's lives. Some of my classmates are
going to Iraq within a year after getting out of
here. And they are going to be in harm's way leading
platoons. I have a lot of respect for that. I don't
know how many other 22-year-olds are going to be
doing that."
JACLYN JORDAN: "I just try every day to do my best
and make my classmates proud, my parents proud and,
most importantly, the nation proud because in the
end we are just, you know, we're working for
America."
Experiences differ from one person to the next. But
those completing study programs agree the Academy
prepares them for all the life and death decisions
that naval officers are required to make. I'm Doug
Johnson.
Hi. I
personally reviewed this video and found it appropriate for
the news section of English Global Group. This
is a Voice of America video which covers an interesting
topic in Special English. I would appreciate some feedback from both
students and teachers about this video. You can comment in
the window below using any of a number of different services
including Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail.
To post a comment:
• Click "Comment using..." in
the window below
• Click your favorite service: Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail
• Login to the service
• Click "Add a comment..."
• Post your comment in the window
Students: Please post a
comment stating what you found interesting about this video. You are
welcome to include links to your English study blogs and any
other materials you think might be useful for learning
English.
Teachers: Please post your
thoughts about this video. You are welcome to include links to
your sites, blogs, and any other materials you think might
be useful for learning English.
Hi. I
personally reviewed this video and found it appropriate for
the news section of English Global Group. This
is a Voice of America video which covers an interesting
topic in Special English. I would appreciate some feedback from both
students and teachers about this video. You can comment in
the window below using any of a number of different services
including Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, and Hotmail.
