For high school students interested in a career with the Navy, a virtual reality tour of duty is a great place to get their feet wet – virtually, of course.
Officials from the U.S. Navy visited Prairie View Jan. 17 to find top-notch STEM students. They brought a virtual reality experience with the Nimitz mobile unit that simulates a Navy SEAL mission to the school.
They are scheduled to bring their demonstration to Brighton High School Jan. 19.
“We are extremely excited to spend time at Prairie View and Brighton high schools, meeting with exceptional students and faculty, and discussing the great opportunities available in today’s Navy,” said Commander Dominique Jackson of the Navy Diversity and Outreach program. “It is important for today’s high school students to understand that a Navy STEM career offers an exceptional future.”
The Navy Outreach and Diversity mission is to seek students with strong analytical and problem-solving skills to fill high-demanding jobs in STEM fields of nuclear engineering, cryptology, IT, and health care, according to a press release.
In addition, the Navy is offering an ROTC scholarship for $180,000 for students with outstanding academic and leadership skills. It pays full college tuition for students who qualify, according to officials.
Their efforts in Brighton this week feature the Nimitz, a mobile, state-of-the-art virtual reality experience that simulates an actual high-speed Navy SEAL mission. The Nimitz was transported in a semi to the schools.
Maria Rust, Public Affairs Officer for Navy Talent Acquisition Group, said this event with the Nimitz mobile unit has been traveling across the U.S. for several years.
“This is the first event here in Colorado, but also recruiting for the military,” Rust said. “I love it. It gives the kids a chance to come in and see what we do and a chance to interact with them and answer any questions. It’s an opportunity to come out into the community.”
“If anyone’s interested in joining the military, we can give them all the information they need” Rust said.
Dog tag access
At the Prairie View High School event, the students start the process by completing a survey of their interests and if they are interested in the military. After the survey is completed, they are given a Navy dog tag to access the Nimitz mobile unit.
The students also got the opportunity to take photos with a green screen. When the image is produced, it has a Navy jet in the background.
Then, the student enters the Nimitz mobile unit, which starts with a video briefing about their mission with information about career options in the Navy.
Next, the students get ready for their virtual mission. They put on an Oculus Rift headset and a wearable piece of technology called a Sub Pac that transmits real-time sounds of the mission.
Student Isaiah Moultry was impressed.
“I like virtual reality because it is so realistic, like the movies,” he said. “I’m interested in the Navy, and I have been on a Navy ship with my Dad. He’s in the Navy in Hawaii, where I was born. I love the Navy.”
The students simulate piloting a high-speed Navy Special Warfare Combat Crewman boat using a steering wheel and throttle system and tasked withg extracting a team of SEALS. The system replicates the actual sensation of navigating the boat. And once the students complete the virtual mission, it gives them feedback on their virtual performance.
Christopher Cassey, who has autism, came with a group of students with special needs on a field trip.
“I’m kind of interested in STEM, and this virtual reality was really fun” Cassey said. “(But) I’m unable to enroll in the Navy because of my autism and ADHD but I enjoy this.”
The ROTC and recruiter were available…
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