Piloting a helicopter, jumping out of airplanes and learning how to make critical decisions on the battlefield were some of the lessons learned and simulated for students at MC Harris High School.
On Thursday they took a field trip to the school’s parking lot where a U.S. Army semi-truck waited, filled with interactive simulations inside.
Through simulations and virtual reality, students and staff had a chance to experience some of the Army’s more than 150 job opportunities. These simulations included flying an Apache Helicopter, parachuting to the ground, conducting missions, utilizing military-grade equipment and seeing the world from the perspective of the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team during a free fall exercise. It’s a hands-on approach to showcase current military technology and career options after graduating high school.
The purpose of the simulations are to show high school students that there is more to do in the Army than what they might initially think, Sgt. Jon Tozzi, U.S. Army recruiter and career counselor, said.
“We help educate them in the different jobs, skills they can get from joining the Army as well as helping guide them in different career paths,” he added. Sometimes that might mean going to college and serving in the Army Reserves.
“It was very cool,” Kristian Gallegos, a junior at MC Harris, said. “When you first go in, you see a model, all the gear, basically mannequin model. Then you go through further you’ll see certain devices on the wall and in the wall. The most eye-catching would be the Apache Helicopter. … You can go in, fly the simulator.”
Tozzi said he and his team said they have a good relationship with Bryan ISD and like to be in high schools once a month, so they were excited for the opportunity to bring the truck to MC Harris on Thursday.
The semi-truck and soldiers travel across the country bringing more information about the Army to students.
