Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. -- School books can teach a lot about a subject, but it’s often said that the best experience is hands-on experience. For one group of students that was the case.
Twenty eight Navy Junior ROTC cadets from Anderson High School, Anderson, Indiana, left their school books and classroom behind to tour Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, Aug. 24 for a more personal look at how the military operates.
“We come to Grissom because of the quality of people there, and as always the tour was well planned and executed,” said retired Lt. Cmdr. Albert Outcalt, Anderson High School Junior ROTC commander. “Touring Grissom gave cadets an opportunity to get military exposure outside of the classroom and exposed [cadets] to possible career fields that can help them decide which branch of service they want to join.”
The visit kicked off at the Marine Corps Reserve Center that houses a vehicle maintenance facility, communications electronics maintenance facility, motor transport lot, supply warehouse, administrative offices and other training areas.
“That was the coolest thing in the world,” said Matthew Chandler, Anderson High School Junior ROTC cadet, after operating a hand-held radio from the front seat of a Humvee. “I’ve never been in a vehicle like that before.”
Following the tour of the Marine Corps Reserve Center, cadets had an opportunity to tour a static display of a KC-135R Stratotanker. During the tour pilots, boom operators, and aircraft maintainers answered questions and spoke with students about their careers in the Air Force Reserve.
“This was really educational for me,” said Matt Simpson, Anderson High School Junior ROTC cadet, who aspires to join the military in the future. “It’s nice seeing the different career fields from different branches of service and also being able to talk to the people who perform the jobs."
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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