JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The War Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 welcomed the cadets of Tuloso Midway Independent School District Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) to Naval Air Station Jacksonville on June 3, 2019.
Forty-five cadets and their instructors traveled from Corpus Christi, Texas to tour the P-8A Poseidons flown by VP-16. The P-8A is a multi-mission maritime platform used in intelligence, surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare. Squadron pilots, naval flight officers, and sensor operators explained the aircraft capabilities, their individual jobs, and the requirements of the aircrew to the cadets.
Lt. Clint McMillen, a War Eagle Aircraft Commander, was one of the tour guides for Tuloso Midway. He eagerly volunteered for the opportunity to share the P-8A with the NJROTC cadets.
“It was a rewarding experience to instruct and help inspire the next generation,” said McMillen. “I hope these incredible opportunities plant the seed to join the service in some of these young men and women.”
Tuloso Midway NJROTC is led by their Senior Naval Science Instructor, retired Lt. Cmdr. Joe Harmon. Harmon believes that NJROTC is a fantastic program that brings many positive influences to the lives of his cadets. He planned this trip to tour military units around the country to show them the opportunities the military has to offer.
“This opens doors that are unimaginable to these kids. This is the trip of a lifetime for most of them and it will never be forgotten,” said Harmon. “We hope this ignited even the smallest spark of imagination for them to serve this country. Having them see good people do good things for this country is so important.”