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Cadets from around the world attend training seminar

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - More than 150 Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from the United States, Japan and Guam attended a seminar at the University of San Diego that included robot and catapult building competitions, Navy officials said Monday.

The cadets took computer programming classes taught by college professors during the week-long Science, Technology, Engineering and Math seminar that wrapped up Friday. They also competed in team robot and catapult building contests.

"These are some of the top cadets in the NJROTC program, and I can say the future is bright not only for them, but for this country," said J.D. Smith, program manager at Naval Service Training Command.

The USD Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum is structured to facilitate thought, teamwork and decision making, according to Smith.

"NJROTC and the STEM program is a win-win for everybody involved from the parents and cadets to their teachers to the Navy," Smith said.

Naval Service Training Command oversees more than 580 NJROTC units worldwide that aim to teach cadets self-discipline, self-confidence and leadership skills.