CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Cadets with the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Cary High School, Cary, North Carolina, visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 31, 2015, to expand their knowledge of military occupational specialties.
The cadets teamed up with Marines from 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division for hands-on experience with amphibious assault vehicles.
“Many of our students are attracted to the military; that’s why they join JROTC,” said Lt. Col. Wesley L. Feight, the senior naval science instructor at Cary High School. “This is a way to expose them to more pieces of the military puzzle and help them make sense of things.”
The cadets were given the chance to experience the gas chamber and interact with a military working dog unit. The trip also allowed time for cadets to participate in the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer before returning home.
At home, the cadets have the opportunity to participate in competitive drill, marksmanship and color-guard services, and they are heavily involved in community service.
“My favorite part of JROTC is gaining snapshots of the military lifestyle and the opportunity to see different jobs before I commit to one,” said Brendan Kearns, a senior at Cary HS and the commanding officer for the school’s NJROTC program.
Kearns plans to attend college and participate in their ROTC program before joining the military.
“For me, the highlight is having them interact with Marines,” Feight said. “I think they gain more from talking with the people, seeing what Marines are really like and gaining that level of familiarity and appreciation.”