MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Midshipmen from across the United States visited MCAS Cherry Point on multiple Fridays in June to learn what Marine Corps aviation is about as part of their Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen, or CORTRAMID.
CORTRAMID is a four-week internship of sorts that allows 3rd Class Midshipmen, with one year of college completed, to experience the service selection options available to them as newly commissioned Navy or Marine Corps officers, said Capt. Pete Schwartz, electronic counter measure officer with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1.
The midshipmen’s visit to Cherry Point included hands on training in some of the stations flight simulators and a close up view of aircraft parked on the Foxtrot taxiway on the flight line. The midshipmen divided into two groups over a four-hour span, rotating between the simulators and aircraft.
The majority of the midshipmen favored their two hours spent in the air conditioned simulators, compared to open heat on the flightline.
“We got a chance to fly around, do some flips, try and land and take off in the Harriers, which is really hard,” said Midshipmen 3rd Class Benjamin N. Roberts, of North Carolina State University, referring to his time in the simulator.
The aircraft parked on Foxtrot taxiway consisted of an AV-8B Harrier, a KC-130J Hercules and an EA-6B Prowler. Aircraft personnel guided the Midshipmen through each aircraft and answered any questions they had about them.
“The most common question we got asked is; how high the Harriers can hover,” said 1st Lt. Matt M. Krivohlavy, AV-8B Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Training Squadron 203.
The midshipmen concluded their visit to Cherry Point with some lunch at the station’s mess hall, which also signified the completion of CORTRAMID
CORTRAMID gives the prospective Marines and Sailors a broader outlook and educates them so they are prepared if they do decide to commit to a career in the Navy or Marine Corps.
Midshipman will continue to visit the air station throughout the summer.