VICTORIA, Texas – (April 18, 2019) – The Navy’s Virtual Reality Experience, the NIMITZ, joined by recruiters assigned to Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) Victoria, paid a visit to Victoria East High School to spread Navy awareness and to pique students’ interest about America’s Navy.
After its activation during the Wings Over South Texas Air Show held aboard Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, April 13 – 14, the Nimitz was available to come to the school after its activation at Rockport-Fulton High School in Rockport, Texas, April 16.
The experience started with registration, a mission briefing, donning on rumble packs and virtual reality headsets, and immersion into the mission.
The mission consisted of a virtual high-speed water extraction of a Navy SEAL team pinned down under enemy fire.
Once the students completed the mission, they were graded on how they responded to five separate mission commands.
“I never thought about having a career in the Navy,” said Javier Lopez, a senior, who performed 25 pull-ups during the Pull-up Challenge. “The experience here was really unique.”
According to AVID Teacher Amanda Blaschke, having the NIMITZ at the school opens opportunities for the student to see what the Navy is all about.
“Approximately three percent of the students here join the military,” said Blaschke, who has been teaching for nine years. “I believe it’s a small percentage because the students don’t fully understand the requirements
to join and the benefits a military career offers.”
The Navy is looking for smart, driven individuals who are eager to serve, and who are not only seeking a better future for themselves and their families, but also for the county.
“We recruit about 13 students annually into the Navy from the school and we hope the experience the students received today will have a positive impact on their future career choices,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class James Corbett of Princeton, W.V., the leading petty officer assigned to NRS Victoria. “We want to thank Victoria Independent School District and Principal Clark Motley for allowing the Navy’s Virtual Reality Experience to come to Victoria East High School.”
Navy Recruiting District San Antonio’s area of responsibility includes more than 30 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Central and South Texas territory.