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Photo Information

Sgt. Gary Holowell, a Marine Wing Support Sqaudron motor transportation operator, helps a student try-on body armor, Jan. 31. Hollowell and other servicemembers visited Michael C. Riley Elementary School for their career day.

Photo by Cpl. Justin M. Boling

Tri-Command service members visit local elementary school

8 Feb 2013 | Cpl. Justin Boling Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Corps Air Sta­tion Beaufort and Naval Hospital personnel vis­ited Michael C. Riley El­ementary School in Bluff­ton, S.C., for Career Day, Jan. 31.

Marines and Sailors spoke to students from multiple grade levels to inform them about the military and each of their occupational specialties.

“Having military mem­bers present provides students with a visual representation of what they can become in the future,” said Carol Wal­ters, a guidance coun­selor for Michael C. Ri­ley Elementary School. “They brought a lot of ex­periences right into the classrooms.

“The career day showed children that education is the path to being success­ful,” Walters continued. “Seeing educated heroes using many of the skills [the students] learn re­ally brings that lesson home.”

Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, from the Air Station, helped stu­dents climb aboard sev­eral of their vehicles. Stu­dents also tried on some of the protective equip­ment vehicle operators wear.

 “Some of the students were a little scared to climb up into the turrets the first time, but after a few went through they all started having a lot of fun,” said Sgt. Gary Hollowell, a MWSS-273 motor transportation op­erator. “It was really cool to see the children learn something while enjoy­ing themselves.”

Service members pro­vided presentations and answered questions from classroom to classroom. Students were taught about military careers and received a glimpse of what they could do in the future.

“Events like these are great because they get the Marines out in the community to let them know we care,” said Hol­lowell, a native of Detroit, Mich. “It also lets these students experience what we do first hand.”

Military members re­ceive a lot of training to perform their jobs. Ac­cording to Walters, a lot of people do not know military members serve in numerous roles.

“Seeing service mem­bers in uniform and get­ting to experience some of their equipment first hand is really cool to them,” said Walters.