BY MONIQUE REA
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Sophomore Aly Pugliani says she learned discipline and respect as she trains in the Sacramento Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets for the Navy. Aly noticed there were no Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs at Roseville High School, leading her to find the Sacramento Division Sea Cadets.

Sea Cadets is a program for those who aspire to join the military and become a leading officer. Aly has been apart of the Sea Cadet program since Feb. of last year, and she plans on joining the military after she graduates from RHS.

As a Sea Cadet, Aly learns basic seamanship and gains the skills needed and motivation to serve her country.

“We get taught core values like honor, courage and commitment,” Aly said.

Many cadets are inspired to join this program through a family member who have served in the military.

“A lot of my family served in the military, including my dad,” Aly said. “Because those people are my main influences, I’ve been really interested in joining the Navy.”

Ali’s father, Tony Pugliani, has respect for both the military and what the program stands for.

“It’s about serving your community, it’s about looking out for each other, and it’s about having honor and respect,” Tony said.

Tony has noticed Ali’s increased patriotism since she has joined the program.

“Since joining the Sea Cadets she sees our country in a different light, she sees more value in being apart of the community,” Tony said. “She’s more patriotic.”

Tony also sees how Ali has grown mentally since becoming a Sea Cadet.

“Aly has become more confident since joining. She has teamwork, communication skills, self-confidence and she’s learning to be respectful to those of authority,” Tony said.

Aly’s commanding officer Curtis Gant sees Aly as a naturally skilled cadet.

“She’s a pretty sharp young lady. She has good study practices, and she has a high level of respect,” Gant said. “She’s a very well spoken young lady.”

Aly’s friend, Sam Kyser formerly served as a cadet and is currently serving as a US Coast Guard Auxiliary. According to Kyser, Aly is planning on going to Master at Arms training. He believes that being a MAA will be challenging but that Aly will be capable of achieving success.

“She’s planning in going to MAA training this summer which means she’s going to be a Master at Arms,” Kyser said. “It’s a tough position but she can easily handle it.”

In the Sea Cadets, Ali participates in community service events. They have volunteered for Eppie’s Great Race, where they served as security, and then helped recover donated shoes at the end of Relay for Life. Sea Cadets perform night watches to secure various places for community service. The Cadets also place flags at Veteran’s Memorials in order to humble themselves and show respect.

Over spring break, Ali was able to participate in a camp located at Lake Camanche. The camp was a mock military boot camp. It focuses on physical training each day, signal fires, sheltering and studying plants and animals within their surroundings.

Every month the cadets learn about something different. Last month they learned about naval aviation. This excited Aly because she aspires to be a naval aviator in the future.

“I’m so excited to join,” Aly said. “I just want to serve and help my country as much as I can.”