U.S. Navy demonstrates missions to Park Crossing students through virtual reality

For day one of Montgomery Navy Week, the U.S. Navy showcased their SEAL Virtual Reality Experience, also called Nimitz, to Park Crossing High

U.S. Navy

School students. The students were able to participate in a navy mission using virtual reality goggles, a steering wheel, and vests to experience a high speed boat.

“The Nimitz trailer is a virtual experience that students from Park Crossing High School are able to go through and experience and kind of see what the navy’s all about,” stated John Hankemeier, who is the Lead Planner for Montgomery Navy Week. “That’s kind of what we’re doing here in Montgomery. We’re kind of showing people what the navy is, who the navy is, and who works for the navy. We have all these different occupations that the navy does that people don’t always know about.”

Sailors were also present at the event to discuss their personal roles in the navy to interested students.

“We have to have other opportunities for them besides going to a 4 year college, so we want them to be career and college ready,” stated Terrence Thomas, who is the Park Crossing Assistant Principal. “This is another opportunity for them to choose a different career and not have to think about going to a 4-year college or 2-year college. With the navy you can see the country, see the world, education; a lot of opportunities with the navy.”

The U.S. Navy offers a $180,000 ROTC scholarship program which pays full college tuition for students with exceptional academic and leadership credentials.