MCALLEN, Texas – (Nov. 2, 2018) Recruiters and support personnel assigned to Navy Recruiting Station McAllen, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio, and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Harlingen were invited to McAllen High School to participate in an Oath of Enlistment Ceremony of future Sailor Yailyn Segura.
Lt. Israel Villarreal of San Benito, Texas, assigned to NOSC Harlingen administered the oath.
“It was an honor to serve as the administering official and to be part of bringing in young person into the U.S. Navy,” said Villarreal. “I think it is important for the school to allow those who choose to serve in our military the opportunity to share such a moment with teachers and students.”
Segura, a senior, joined the Navy under the Professional Apprenticeship Career Tracks (PACT), which is a program designed for enlisted Sailors to enter into an apprenticeship program that provides apprentice-level formal training and on the job training that leads to a permanent rate/career field within two years of enlistment.
According to Segura, the Navy will provide her with the opportunity to attain a higher education and a career.
“My mother mentioned the military to me and afterwards I took the ASVAB,” said Segura. “During the Summer, I was visited by two Navy recruiters who explained the benefits to me and if I was interested to visit them at the recruiting station. After doing some thinking, and weighing the pros and cons, I decided it was the right choice for me.”
Assistant Principal Jozabad Palacios of Mission, Texas, said the least thing the school could do is honor and represent Segura and others who join the military for their commitment.
“The swearing-in ceremony provides the community the opportunity to be a part of something which some of our students have chosen to do; serve our county by joining the military,” said Palacios.
Palacios, who has been in education for 11 years, is no stranger to the Navy; he recently attended NRD San Antonio’s Educator Orientation Visit to San Diego in July.
In turn, Palacios now has a better grasp of information to provide to his students should they have questions of what the Navy has to offer.
After having the opportunity to participate in the Navy EOV, Palacios had been instrumental in highlighting the branches of the armed services by providing swearing-in ceremonies for students who secure a military contract of enlistment.
Palacios has also nurtured relationships with all military recruiters assigned to the school to ensure students are being afforded the opportunity to have access to recruiters.
Moving forward, Palacios foresees highlighting commemorative military events along with the school's Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program, and the local recruiting stations.
Not only has Palacios attended the Navy EOV, but also with the Marine Corps.
“Although I enjoyed the Marine workshop very much,” said Palacios. “The Navy EOV provided exclusive opportunities such as being inside a submarine which many people cannot say they have done.”