MCAS 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.