Before the Storm: Cadet Pontel Talks NSWOC Prep

Seaman Austin Pontel

Cruiser Milwaukee Division

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Before diving into one of the most elite trainings offered to Sea Cadets, Cadet Pontel sat down with us to share his goals, mindset, and excitement for what lies ahead. Watch this inspiring pre-departure interview below.

 

 

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About This Interview
Before he laced up his boots and faced the demanding challenges of the Naval Special Warfare Orientation Course (NSWOC), Cadet Pontel took time to reflect on his Sea Cadet journey, his reasons for applying to NSWOC, and what he hopes to gain from the experience. NSWOC is modeled after real Navy SEAL preparation, offering intense physical and mental conditioning alongside leadership development.

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More information: https://www.nswoc.org

 

In This Video, Cadet Pontel Shares:

• Why he chose to apply for NSWOC and what inspired his Sea Cadet journey.

• How he’s preparing himself mentally and physically for this elite-level training.

• His plans to apply to service academies and pursue military leadership roles.

• His long-term goals, including becoming a pilot and serving in the Air Force or Navy.

• Lessons already learned from Sea Cadets: discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

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Standout Quotes:

• “I’ve always wanted to serve - and NSWOC is a chance to test myself, learn, and see if this really is the right path for me.”

• “It’s not just physical. They told us it’s a lot of mental toughness and staying calm under pressure. That’s what I’m ready for.”

• “Whether I go Navy or Air Force, I want to be the kind of leader who can stay cool in tough situations and push through.”

 

What’s Next?
Cadet Pontel is about to attend NSWOC and will return soon to share what he learned. We’ll sit down with him again for a follow-up interview to hear how the experience challenged and shaped him...and what advice he has for future Sea Cadets.

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After the Storm: Cadet Pontel Talks NSWOC

Stay tuned! Post-training interview coming soon.

 

Are you ready to test your limits and become a leader like Cadet Pontel? Join the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and begin your journey today.
#SeaCadets #FutureLeader #NSWOC #SpecialWarfarePrep #CadetSpotlight
 

 

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