ca·dre (kä dr, -dr, k d r) n. 1. A nucleus of trained personnel around which a larger organization can be built and trained... a nucleus of which this dynamic duo is an integral part! They excel at pretty much everything they tackle. It comes as no surprise they are part of the 2010-2011 Regimental Staff.
1/C Rory O’Donnell, Marine Transportation major, native of Somerset MA was attracted to the Academy because of the regiment. After graduating from Somerset High School, he put all his eggs in one basket when he applied to MMA. It was the only school he wanted to attend. “I had a rough time my freshman year. Sports are all I really did before coming to the Academy. My grades fell. I wanted to be home. My mother made me stay,” O’Donnell recalled. Sea Term was a turning point. He met friends he says will keep for life, changed his major to Marine Transportation and joined Track and Field where he became League Champion in the triple jump. From this point on “for whatever reason, my grades went up, the more work I took on,” he marveled. O’Donnell applied for the position of Cadet Chief Mate and got it. He plans to bulk up his already ample responsibilities by sharing what he’s learned with the “youngies”. He also intends to captain LNG vessels by age 40!
1/C Andrew Willard is chasing a dual major in Marine Engineering and Facilities Engineering. Graduate of Mount Mansfield Union High School in Underhill, VT, he is serving as this year’s Cadet Chief Engineer. “My father is a ’77 graduate of Maine Maritime. I sailed with him for a week when I was sixteen years old and got hooked on life at sea,” Willard mused. “After graduation I want to sail in the Merchant fleet, attend grad school and work toward a Professional Engineering license,” he continued. “For the next two weeks, I want to introduce the orientation class to ship operations and maintenance of all engine machinery, stressing safety issues,” he finished. As Cadet Chief Engineer, Willard is responsible for the operations of the engine room and all other machinery spaces aboard the T.S. Kennedy. This includes oversight of the fifty-six Engineering Cadet Officers under his command as well as the all the new freshman cadets who will be working in the engine room throughout the year.
