Stephen Decatur’s NJROTC program was given a new and exciting opportunity to stay overnight onboard the USS Wisconsin. The USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was commissioned in 1944 and is the biggest battleship to be commissioned in the US Navy. BB-64 has served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Gulf war before being decommissioned in 1991; now, she rests in Norfolk Harbor and serves as a museum. As a museum, guests and students learn about her history and modifications throughout her service while also providing a few lucky students the opportunity to stay on board overnight.

Cadets explored the interior of the USS Wisconsin and learned about the history of BB-64 and participated in fun activities like tie a navy knot and learn about ship life onboard the Wisconsin. “It was a very fun experience of seeing the inter-workings of the ship and being inside of the defensive armaments of the battleship,” sophomore Cadet Alex Pouchan explained.

Cadets participating in the overnight stay also got an exclusive patch and challenge coin they could purchase for staying overnight onboard the USS Wisconsin. The next day, Cadets participated in raising the flag on the back of the USS Wisconsin which is a tremendous honor and opportunity.