JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The United States Navy Strike Group Mobile visited Northside High School on Tuesday, giving students hands-on experience with Navy careers through simulators, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality.
Students used Navy-led simulators that mimic real-world operations, including a Navy diver scenario and a boat driving simulator.
“One is a Navy diver scenario to retrieve different things, and they have a boat driving simulator where they are given an objective, and they have to drive the boat to that said objective,” said US Navy Petty Officer First Class Richard Sheldon.
Sheldon said the event is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the Navy nationwide.
“All of this is to spread Navy awareness across the nation. The more people who know about the Navy, the more people who want to join an organization like the Navy, the better we all are,” Sheldon said.
Tod Bonello, career development coordinator with Onslow County Schools, said exposing students to all post-high school options is a priority.
“Our Navy task force’s goal is to basically introduce careers, not just in the Navy, but also in civilian equivalence to high school students, so they have a plan. North Carolina requires a four-year career plan, and we want to make sure these students have options, so they have an idea of what they want to do in life,” Bonello said.
Fallon Love, a Northside junior who grew up in a military family, said she supports organizations coming into schools to show students their options.
“Some students think that they automatically have to go to college, but there are also other options out there,” Love said.
The virtual reality helicopter and airplane simulator were among the most popular attractions for students. The Navy Strike Group Mobile is scheduled to visit Jacksonville High School on Thursday.
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