North Bruns. graduate

Cheryl McNolte, 19, an alumna of North Brunswick High School, is a sharpshooter with the U.S. Navy.

honored by U.S. Navy

By jennifer kohlhepp

Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — After high school, Cheryl McNolte decided to go into the military to learn about and work with bombs instead of going to college.

A 2000 North Brunswick Township High School graduate, McNolte, 19, enlisted in the Navy right out of high school.

During her short time in the military, she has received many honors. She graduated first in her class at the Aviation Ordinance School in 2001. She received a National Defense Ribbon for her service on Veteran’s Day this year. She is classified as a sharpshooter. The Navy also recently rewarded her continuing top performance by choosing her to fly in the Red Baron military aircraft.

"Cheryl followed in the footsteps of four influential people in her life," her mother, Phyllis McNolte, said. "She comes from a military family. Both of her grandfathers and two of her uncles served," she said.

"She made her decision to join the military her senior year. She was always interested in the bombing field," her mother said.

After boot camp, McNolte attended Aviation Ordinance School in Florida, where she studied how to transport bombs onto aircraft carriers, from which planes can take them to the target destination.

"Cheryl was very determined in her studies in Florida. She loved what she was doing. When she was sick for a test and didn’t do well, she studied even harder to excel. She graduated first in her class," Phyllis McNolte said.

McNolte’s class was the first class to graduate after 9/11.

"During the graduation, President Bush addressed the graduating class via video. He congratulated the students, calling them the future of America, that will protect and serve this great country," Phyllis McNolte said.

Because McNolte finished first in her class, her mother said, she had a choice as to where she would like to be stationed.

"She could have gone to Italy, Arizona or California," her mother said.

McNolte decided to go to El Centro, Calif., as part of the auxiliary force for the base. Currently, she is classified as a sharpshooter.

"Cheryl said this (learning to shoot) was the hardest thing for her to accomplish because she is afraid of guns. She didn’t want to do it. I told her, hopefully, you will never have to use a gun in combat, but if you do, you will know how. I told her to pray to God to give her the courage to get through it and she did," Phyllis McNolte said.

McNolte is also classified as an Airman Apprentice E2.

According to the official U.S. Navy Web site, after completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Airman Apprenticeship training program attend a three-week course on basic theory in aviation fundamental skills. After successful completion of this training, apprentices are usually assigned to squadrons or aviation commands, wherever the Navy needs them most.

According to the Navy Web site, apprentices must be able to get along well with others, as they are important members of the aviation team. Other qualities include resourcefulness, curiosity, a good memory, manual dexterity and physical strength. Enlistees enter the navy as E-1 Airman Recruits, according to the Navy.

"Cheryl advanced to E-2 Airman apprentice after nine months of successful naval service," her mother said.

During the day she works eight-hour shifts assembling bombs. Because President Bush just granted the military a four percent raise, she is paid around $1,375 a month. At night, McNolte attends college courses.

"She’s majoring in psychology and minors in social work," Joseph McNolte, Cheryl’s father said.

When she’s not working or studying, Cheryl has various duties she must perform on the base. While weekends are usually free for her to rest, shop or travel, McNolte has to perform a watch duty one weekend a month, according to Phyllis McNolte.

"She is responsible for guarding the base all night long, checking ID’s," Phyllis McNolte said.

Cheryl’s duties may change, should the U.S. declare war on Iraq, but the change won’t come immediately, her mother said. "As far as she (Cheryl) knows, she will have shore duties for the majority of the time. She will have sea duty for her last year, meaning she will be stationed on a ship somewhere off the coast of the United States or elsewhere. She has heard she may go to Guam or to Spain," Phyllis McNolte said.

"Cheryl doesn’t fear going to war and we’re not scared either. I think it comes with faith," her mother said.

Phyllis McNolte said the entire family has had to go through a lot of adjustments when Cheryl joined the military. She said her sons Patrick, 16, and John, 12, miss their sister very much.

"We are very excited for and proud of her. But she is very far away. Last year, she wasn’t allowed to come home during the summer because she used all of her leave days when her grandfather suddenly passed away," Phyllis McNolte said. "We’re all very excited about seeing her for the holidays. She’s coming home on Dec. 22," she said.

Cheryl McNolte has a four-year commitment to the military. She is expected to leave in 2004.

"She doesn’t know if she wants to make a career out the Navy or put her degree to work," her mother said.