MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey State Police say that on Friday, February 21, at approximately 4:46 p.m., troopers responded to Millstone Park in Millstone Twp., Monmouth County, to the report of a dog stuck on a lake. Troopers and the Millstone Fire Department were able to rescue the dog. Troopers noticed footprints and dog prints leading to the lake, and they observed a jacket and hat lying at the lake’s edge, leading onto the ice and toward a fresh break. Further investigation determined that a male had taken his two dogs for a walk and had not returned.
A search was conducted in the area and the water with negative results. The search was suspended that night due to water conditions and resumed the next morning. During the search of the water on Saturday, the body of Michael Rosen, a 78-year-old male from Millstone, New Jersey, was recovered. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available.
Photos by: Dennis Symons, Tyler Eckel and Brian McCarthy
EWING TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Today Air Force One touched down with President Trump for a campaign rally that was held in Newtown, PA near Washington Crossing. The event was held at “Keith House – Washington’s Headquarters” where he delivered remarks on “Making America Great Again, Again”
Security was tight, roads were shut down in the area including I-295. Detours were in the area until the rally was complete and the President was on his way to his next scheduled stop in Reading, PA.
Air Force One Touches Down at Trenton-Mercer County Airport today for a campaign rally in Pennsylvania:
Roads were closed and detours were made during President Trumps visit to the Mercer County, NJ area on his way to Bucks County PA. Photos by: Dennis Symons
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Fire Department along with Allentown-Capital Health EMS responded to the NJ Turnpike south bound inner roadway at mile marker 59.2 for a multi-vehicle accident with injuries at 8:06 p.m. Upon arrival firefighters reported that multiple vehicles were involved and checking for injuries. At least four cars were involved, and it appears that two people were sent to local hospitals with non-life-threating injuries. Bordentown Township EMS also responded to the scene. New Jersey State Police is investigating the crash. No further details are available at this time.
December 9, 2021
TRENTON, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for fraudulently receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and depositing a stolen and altered U.S. Treasury check, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Bernard Lopez, 40, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging him with one count each of bank fraud and theft of government funds. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence today by videoconference.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Lopez devised a scheme to commit bank fraud through which a stolen and altered U.S. Treasury check was deposited into a corporate bank account Lopez created in the name of Pezlo Management LLC. The check was altered to be made payable to Pezlo in the amount of $211,886 and was then deposited into Pezlo’s corporate bank account. Lopez later withdrew or transferred the stolen proceeds from Pezlo’s bank account before the bank could detect the fraud.
On June 24, 2020, Lopez caused to be submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application to a lender on behalf of Company-1, a purported business that Lopez controlled. The Small Business Administration oversees the PPP, which is designed to provide forgivable loans to small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants for PPP loans apply directly to banks or financial institutions participating in the program; in those applications, applicants make affirmative certifications about their average monthly payroll expenses and number of employees. Applicants also certify their intent to spend PPP proceeds on permissible business expenses, such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and interest on mortgages. PPP loans may be entirely forgiven if the recipient spends the loan proceeds on these permissible expenses within a designated period after receiving the proceeds.
Lopez’s PPP application falsely represented that Company-1 employed 25 employees, had a monthly payroll expense of approximately $192,000, and had mortgage/lease and utilities expenses. Company-1 did not, in fact, employ any employees, nor did it incur payroll or utility expenses. Based on Lopez’s misrepresentations, the lender approved Lopez’s PPP loan application and provided Lopez’s purported business with $481,502 in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses. Lopez then converted a portion of the proceeds for his own use.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Lopez to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $137,000 and forfeiture of $481,502.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Department of the Treasury-OIG, under the direction of Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Sally D. Luttrell, with the investigation leading to the charges. She also thanked special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina in Newark, and special agents of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patricia Tarasca for assistance.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Perry Farhat of the Government Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Newark.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Vegetation management along power distribution lines in Robbinsville Township will be performed by Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) tree contractors beginning this week to help enhance electric service reliability ahead of the 2021-22 winter storm season.
The bulk of the work includes removing approximately 93 trees – the majority of which are Ash trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer (beetle) – along four JCP&L circuits throughout the Township. These areas include potentially high incident parcels where storm impacts could cause damage to electrical infrastructure resulting in possible outages, road closures and other public safety concerns. Residential areas within the project scope include, but are not limited to, Hankins Road, Tindall Road, Woodside Road, Perrineville Road and Main Street. Work is expected between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with a targeted completion date by month’s end.
Other trees of some concern not marked for removal will be trimmed or pruned. Although it is not possible to predict all tree-related problems, JCP&L’s vegetation management program is designed to maintain proper clearances around electrical equipment and to help protect against outages caused by ice and heavy, wet snow on tree branches.
“We have been in consistent contact with JCP&L over the past year, and this effort is a priority that we expect will enhance electric service to their customers and our residents,” Mayor Dave Fried said. “We are very pleased with the increased communication with the current JCP&L team assigned to address our needs, and each is committed to doing whatever is necessary to mitigate power disruptions not only this winter, but years into the future.”
When appropriate, the Township will begin replacing the removed trees with plantings in less vulnerable areas using JCP&L’s “Right Tree, Right Place” guidelines. Named a “Tree City USA” community for the 10th time in 2021, Robbinsville has planted close to 13,000 trees since 2013.JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in Central and Northern New Jersey, including approximately half of Robbinsville’s 5,259 homes and numerous commercial properties.
December 9, 2021
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–We are happy to announce that the Allentown FFA Chapter participated in its first sponsored leadership event for the 2021-2022 academic year through the LEAD leadership conference held on October 1st at Rutgers University. The chapter saw many people attend the conference that encompassed COLT (chapter officer leadership training), LOC (leadership and opportunities conference) and SGC (state greenhand conference), and then meeting at the Ag building the next day to virtually complete the conference conducted with the New Jersey State Officer Team. In regards to development activities, the members of the FFA continue practicing for Fall CDEs in Fruit & Vegetable Identification, Milk Quality and Products, Turf Management, and Land Evaluation competitions. Competitions will be held in November at Rutgers University. The Allentown FFA Chapter would like to wish good luck to all the teams competing!
The Allentown FFA team also is pleased to announce the success of the Flower Bulb Sale that concluded on Wednesday October 20th, and the successive annual fruits sale that kicked off on October 15 that will continue until November 22, 2021; so get your fruit and cheesecake while they’re still in stock. If you have any questions or would like to pick up an order form, please see an officer or advisor.
The Allentown FFA Chapter conducted it’s Halloween Poster Contest at Newell Elementary School with the objective of informing kids on how to be safe during Halloween which finished successfully with many enthusiastic participants from the elementary school. Starting with Halloween, the October chapter meeting say many people dress and have lots of fun with the activities such as pumpkin painting and the haunted escape room that was made in the Agricultural building. For staying informed on FFA events and activities, continue to view the FFA website for the monthly newsletter for all updates on the Allentown FFA Chapter and we wish luck for all members for the month of November. We would love to invite anyone who wishes to come to the November Chapter Meeting that will be held on November 18, 2021, and for all questions regarding anything FFA, don’t hesitate to contact an FFA officer or advisor.
Honor Society Inductions: The Allentown FFA Chapter assists the National Honor Society advisors by attending the National Honor Society induction ceremony and handing out programs and acting as ushers the guests. The chapter also provided the stage floral decorations for the Honor Society Inductions- Latin, English, History, Fine Art, Math, Spanish, French, Science and Italian- as well as the National Honor Society Induction.
Thanksgiving Floral Arrangement Sale: The Allentown FFA sold flower arrangements that were Thanksgiving themed. We sold them to community members and staff of UFRSD. Single candle arrangements are $20.and cornucopias were $24.
Popcorn Park Zoo Donation Collection: Every year, the Allentown FFA hosts the Popcorn Park Pet Supply Drive to assist animals in the shelter. We do this by placing bins in various locations, including the 3 UFRSD schools, Ag stores in Allentown and Millstone, and other locations. For the drive, make flyers to show what types of supplies are needed by the shelter. We typically leave the bins at their location for a month and check them periodically to see if they need to be emptied. All officers must receive approval from their location before placing a bin there. After the donation drive is over, we pack a vehicle with the donations and deliver them to the zoo.
New Jersey FFA Assocation Officer Visit to Allentown FFA on November 15, 2021:
Monday, November 15, 2021 I had the opportunity to visit the Allentown FFA Chapter. I presented to a total of 5 classes, informing them about FFA and opportunities offered through the New Jersey Association. I also stayed after school for some time and attended a planning meeting where floral arrangements for Allentown’s NHS were created.Jonathan Finney
New Jersey FFA State Treasurer
On December 4, 2021, Allentown FFA participated in the New Jersey FFA Association Mission Conference! Members learned about personal development!
December 9, 2021
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for stealing more than $350,000 from a special needs trust, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Eugene Young, 70, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Judge Rodriguez imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
A special needs trust was established to provide for the supplemental care, maintenance, support, and education of a disabled individual and, in December 2017, had more than $1 million in assets in two bank accounts. In December 2017, Young caused the trust’s trustee, a senior citizen, to execute a power of attorney appointing him as the trustee’s agent.
Young used the power of attorney to gain access to the trust’s bank accounts and, between December 2017 and June 2019, used a variety of means to divert funds from the trust. Young used a debit card associated with the bank accounts to make more than 650 purchases and approximately 200 ATM withdrawals. He also wrote checks from the accounts to himself, made other withdrawals from the accounts, and cashed portions of annuity checks that were the property of the trust. The funds were not used for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiary, as required by the terms of the trust, but rather for Young’s personal use. Young misappropriated more than $350,000 from the trust before his scheme was discovered.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Young to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $359,560.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty; and special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
21-571
Defense counsel: Thomas Young Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden
December 9, 2021
EASTAMPTON, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Eastampton Township Police Chief Joseph Iacovitti announced that a 35-year-old Trenton drug dealer has been charged with causing the death of an Eastampton man who fatally overdosed on fentanyl last year at his residence.
Robert Rentas, of the 100 block of Calhoun Street in Trenton, was charged with Strict Liability for Drug-Induced Death (First Degree) and Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree).
He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly after being arrested on December 1. A detention hearing will be held tomorrow in Superior Court. The case will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began on November 12, 2020, after Emergency Medical Services personnel and officers from the Eastampton Township Police Department were dispatched to a residence for a report of a 34-year-old unresponsive male. Narcan was administered and chest compressions were performed, but it was determined by EMS workers on the scene that he was deceased and beyond resuscitative efforts.
An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined the death was caused by fentanyl toxicity.
The investigation revealed that the drugs that led to the fatal overdose had been purchased from Rentas.
The case was investigated by the Eastampton Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force, with assistance from the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit and the New Jersey State Police.
Rentas will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Laura Heisman.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law
2021-103 Eastampton Drug-Induced Death Arrest
Robert Rentas, of the 100 block of Calhoun Street in Trenton
December 9, 2021
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Last night at Mercer County Park Skating Center Robbinsville Ice Hockey was down by 2 goals with nothing on the board after 2 periods against Hopewell Valley. In the 3rd period Robbinsville scored 3 goals and 1 ENG empty netter goal to bring the final score Hopewell 2, Robbinsville 4.
Hopewell Valley / Montgomery Ice Hockey vs. Robbinsville / Allentown Ice Hockey are cooperative teams with a combination of players from each school.
Note if any students want to try their hand at sports writing or photography to build their portfolios while attending high school or college use the contact form above and send in your information.
December 9, 2021
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–Hightstown Police, Hightstown Fire Company, and Robbinsville EMS responded to Mercer Street between South Street and Academy Streets for a car that hit a parked car around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 8. The driver of the vehicle was treated by EMS responders and transported by EMS to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Hightstown Fire Company responded for reports of wires down but upon arrival it was phone and cable wires across the roadway. Hightstown Police are investigating the crash.
UPDATE: Police say that the subject was Adlai Barber, a 32-year-old male of Panama City, Florida; the subject was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. Subject remained in the custody of the hospital pending court.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Director of Public Safety and Mayor David L. Fried, along with Robbinsville Township Chief of Police William Swanhart, are proud to announce the promotion of Scott Kivet to Lieutenant, along with the promotions of Shawn Bruton and Thomas Septak to Sergeant.
“These three officers exemplify the three virtues on our agency patch: Honor, Integrity, and Pride,” Chief Swanhart said. “The leadership and dedication displayed by each of these officers throughout their careers reflects the mission of the Robbinsville Township Police Department and will make a lasting impact on our department and the community we serve. I look forward to working with these officers in their new roles and appreciate the dedication to the agency by our entire team.”
Lt. Kivet has been an integral member of the agency, particularly in the area of drug interdiction and trafficking. Since 2016, Lt. Kivet has also been a driving force of the Community Addiction Recovery Effort (C.A.R.E.) program, which has helped dozens of individuals seek professional treatment for opioid dependency. C.A.R.E. has been so successful it has been adopted by every municipality in Mercer County. Lt. Kivet will remain the Township’s Office of Emergency Management Coordinator and continue working with K9 Corbin.
Lt. Kivet has teamed with K9s Quori and Corbin over the past several years to identify, intercept and arrest hundreds of individuals for drug trafficking and possession along the Interstate 195 and New Jersey Turnpike corridors, earning several commendations.
Before retiring from active police work, K9 Quori and Lt. Kivet participated in various high-profile cases with the FBI, Homeland Security, and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, including one of the nation’s largest drug busts – a $1 billion, 17.5-ton seizure of cocaine in 2019.
Kivet was hired by the Robbinsville Police Department in 2005 and has served as the OEM coordinator; a Pro-Active Narcotics Unit Detective with the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and in April 2017 was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Lt. Kivet is also one of the founders of the Mercer County Rapid Response Partnership and is currently one of the coordinators overseeing operations with command staff from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
In addition, Lt. Kivet is a certified Drug Recognition Expert and has been stipulated in municipal and superior courts as a Subject Matter Expert in the field. He has been recognized for his enforcement of impaired drivers by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), was named Officer of the Year in 2008; NJ State First Responder of the Year Award in 2011, Top Gun/Officer of the Year for Mercer County in 2011, 2014, & 2015; Chief’s Award in 2014; Rotary Club Distinguished Officer of the Year award in 2012 & 2015, and numerous life-saving awards.
In addition to his many duties with the RTPD, Lt. Kivet is a certified firefighter, EMT, Hazmat technician, County Fire Coordinator, Deputy Forest Fire Warden, and Level 2 instructor. He currently volunteers as an Assistant Fire Chief in Upper Freehold.
Kivet joins fellow Lieutenants Christopher Clifton, Thomas Egan and Adrian Markowski on the RTPD Command Staff.
Lieutenant Scott Kivet
Sgt. Bruton has dedicated over 19 years to serving the Robbinsville Township Police Department after beginning his career in 2006 as a dispatcher, where he honed his communications skills and led him to pursue a career as an officer in 2011.
Sgt. Bruton has excelled in a variety of roles within the agency, including as a drug recognition expert, evidence custodian, and Drug Interdiction Officer. His substantial growth led to his selection to the Detective Bureau in 2016, where he developed expertise in investigations and crime scene management.
In 2018, Sgt. Bruton was assigned to the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, an honor that recognized his professionalism and skill in solving complex cases. In addition to his investigative work, he played a key role in enhancing department training and preparedness, securing active shooter training, and leading initiatives like the township wide Camera Systems. As a Certified Active Shooter Instructor and Incident Management Instructor, Sgt. Bruton has been commended by the NJ Office of Homeland Security for his ability to manage large scale incidents. He has received numerous awards throughout his career including, Meritorious Service, Grand Cordon, Lifesaving and Exceptional Service awards.
Sergeant Shawn Bruton
Sgt. Septak began his career in law enforcement in 2013 when he was hired by the RTPD as a Patrolman.
He has served as a Traffic Officer, Bike Patrol Officer, Humane Law Enforcement Officer, Field Training Officer, the liaison Officer for the Township’s Hunting Program, and as an Officer in Charge. At the time of his promotion, Sgt. Septak was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit as a Detective, where he worked collaboratively with various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the U.S. Marshals, various units within the New Jersey State Police including the Auto Theft Task Force and the Counterterrorism Unit, and the Department of Criminal Justice.
During his tenure with the RTPD, Sgt. Septak has been recognized as Officer of The Year in 2015, received seven Exceptional Service Awards, four Honorable Service Awards, two Distinguished Service Awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), two Grand Cordon Awards, and a Meritorious Service Award.
“The hard work and dedication these officers have put into their craft has been exemplary,” Fried said. “As I have mentioned on many occasions, Chief Swanhart and I are blessed with an extremely deep roster of outstanding and caring police officers whose sole focus is to help the citizens of Robbinsville and Windsor. We could not be prouder of these three outstanding men and what they have accomplished since joining the agency.”
CAPE MAY, NJ — The Coast Guard could be considered a “diamond in the rough” amongst the U.S. military branches. It is small but mighty, performing 11 statutory missions across the globe with an active-duty workforce just over 11% the size of the Army. Founded in 1790, the beginnings of the Coast Guard can be traced back to when the very first U.S. Congress – and George Washington himself – authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling, a fleet later known as the Revenue Cutter Service.
Despite operating under a different name, the Coast Guard proudly served as the nation’s only armed force afloat until the Navy was established in 1798. It wasn’t until 1915 when Congress merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the Life-Saving Service that the official name “U.S. Coast Guard” was established.
Throughout centuries of successful operation within the maritime domain, the Coast Guard gained popularity and the United States consolidated more and more mission objectives into the service. In 1939, the Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard, and in 1946 the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation was merged into the service as well, which swept merchant marine licensing, merchant vessel safety and aids to navigation maintenance into its already broad purview.
During this rapid expansion of the service, World War I, Prohibition, and World War II came and went, and throughout that time Coast Guard members were entering the service at a rapid rate. Before the start of WWI, basic training for Coast Guard personnel was practically non-existent since the majority of men joining the service were experienced watermen or local mariners. Once WWI started, Coast Guardsmen began getting assigned to boat stations and cutters to receive hands-on training after entering the service.
When the United States entered WWII, the urgent need for lots of trained manpower led to the establishment of training centers and receiving stations across the nation to prepare inexperienced civilians for service in the Coast Guard. Some of the more prominent locations included Port Townsend, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; Alameda, California; Manhattan Beach, New York; and the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. After WWII ended, the Coast Guard’s desire to centralize enlisted recruit training to one location became a top priority.
U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., the Coast Guard’s only accession point for the enlisted workforce, was originally built as an airfield by the Navy in 1917 and was used for reconnaissance operations during World War I. When the U.S. entered Prohibition, the Coast Guard began using the base jointly with the Navy to deter and interdict rum runners in the Delaware Bay. In 1924, the Coast Guard established air facilities on the property and throughout the next 20 years, military operations varied between the Coast Guard and the Navy. But in June 1946, the Coast Guard took exclusive ownership of the base.
At that moment in time, the Coast Guard still had two main locations for enlisted recruit training: one in Alameda, California, and one in Mayport, Florida. In 1948, the recruit training center in Florida closed and relocated to Cape May where on May 31, 1948, Coast Guard Receiving Center Cape May officially opened as a recruit training center. Nearly 48 years later in 1982, the Alameda training base also closed and Training Center Cape May earned its renown as the sole enlisted training center for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Back then, Training Center Cape May was capable of handling up to 200 recruits monthly, and over the years, basic training varied in length from eight to 12 weeks. Over the past 75 years of recruit training, the facilities have expanded rapidly, which has allowed the Coast Guard to increase the targeted number of recruits trained and graduated to approximately 4,000 recruits in 2023 alone. Over 80% of the Coast Guard’s workforce has passed through the gates at Cape May to receive the training necessary to protect, defend, and save the nation they selflessly serve.
“The Coast Guard’s missions have continued to expand and Training Center Cape May has, and will, continue to expand with it,” said Capt. Warren Judge, 33rd commanding officer of Training Center Cape May. “As Coast Guard women and men are deployed worldwide overseeing and carrying out the Coast Guard’s 11 statutory missions, Training Center Cape May continues to work vigorously to produce basically trained, physically fit, fleet-ready women and men for the world’s best Coast Guard. The Coast Guard’s mission and our training mission never stop; therefore, our staff works tirelessly to execute excellence for our fleet.”
Keeping in step with the service’s expansion, Training Center Cape May has more than $50 million in authorized projects to expand its recruit living quarters and begin planning for the construction of a new multi-purpose, all-weather training facility.
“These new buildings would be revolutionary for our program and our people,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Radford Hoffpauir, command master chief of Training Center Cape May. “We’ve needed a new gym and indoor track for our recruits to safely take their physical fitness tests during our rainy, snowy, or extremely high temperature days. This facility would also include a multi-purpose facility for large indoor functions such as our weekly recruit graduations, official ceremonies, and all-hands meetings and inspections. Admiral Linda Fagan, our commandant of the Coast Guard says, ‘Tomorrow looks different, and so will we,’ and we’re really embodying that here because in addition to expanding our facilities, we’re expanding our reach for potential recruits too.”
The Coast Guard has recently found success with the new joint-service English Language Training Program (ELTP), which allows the service to take prospective recruits with limited English language capabilities and send them to school with the U.S. Army to learn English full-time. They return to Coast Guard boot camp once they have graduated the language program and integrate back in with a company to train toward becoming a Coast Guard service member. As of May 2023, five recruits have attended and graduated from the ELTP; all five also successfully completed Coast Guard basic training and are now working in the fleet. Training Center Cape May currently has four more recruits enrolled in the ELTP, with two more slated for the near future.
In addition, Training Center Cape May has also recently tested the limits and capabilities of the current eight-week recruit training program itself by piloting a new 10-week recruit training beta program. With the extended two weeks of recruit training, the training center has incorporated more physical fitness sessions, more stretching and recovery sessions, and has introduced a new “Coast Guard Toughness” program into their new basic training beta company to develop stronger, more resilient recruits to send to the fleet.
Training Center Cape May’s mission is to transform the recruits of today into the Coast Guard men and women of tomorrow. They take civilian volunteers and put them under eight weeks of pressure, sharpening their wits and reaction times, forging them into the hardworking, dedicated servicemembers that shine and embody the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. They forge diamonds for the fleet, and it’s only appropriate that the Coast Guard celebrates their training center’s 75th anniversary – their diamond anniversary – with a bit of a flourish and recognize their most important training asset: Their People.
“As we pay homage to all Coast Guard members and their families for the past 75 years, please know when you visit Training Center Cape May, you are always welcome home,” said Capt. Judge.
Personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May hold a public Memorial Day Weekend Sunset Parade to honor Coast Guard Gold Star families, May 28, 2023, in Cape May, N.J.. The Coast Guard Gold Star Program is the Coast Guard’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Coast Guard members who die while in an Active status. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May hold a public Memorial Day Weekend Sunset Parade to honor Coast Guard Gold Star families, May 28, 2023, in Cape May, N.J.. The Coast Guard Gold Star Program is the Coast Guard’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Coast Guard members who die while in an Active status. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Sierra-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 26, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Sierra-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 26, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
Monday, November 15, 2021 I had the opportunity to visit the Allentown FFA Chapter. I presented to a total of 5 classes, informing them about FFA and opportunities offered through the New Jersey Association. I also stayed after school for some time and attended a planning meeting where floral arrangements for Allentown’s NHS were created.Jonathan Finney
Robert Rentas, of the 100 block of Calhoun Street in Trenton
Personnel at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May hold a public Memorial Day Weekend Sunset Parade to honor Coast Guard Gold Star families, May 28, 2023, in Cape May, N.J.. The Coast Guard Gold Star Program is the Coast Guard’s official program for providing long-term support to surviving families of Coast Guard members who die while in an Active status. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Quebec-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 12, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)
Graduates from recruit company Sierra-203 complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J., May 26, 2023. Training Center Cape May personnel develop an aligned, positioned and trained workforce employed to provide efficient and effective services, and ensures the workforce receives the tools, resources and training to maximize our mission effectiveness. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)