SAN DIEGO – (July 12, 2019) Navy Awareness is an important element in recruiting America’s best and brightest for naval service. To assist the recruiting effort in Central and South Texas, eight educators and counselors, along with support personnel from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Antonio, visited naval commands in support of an Educator Orientation Visit (EOV) July 8 - 12.
The EOV is a Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) program with a main focus of showing educators the various facets of America’s Navy and the many career paths available to students.
According to Alexis Grant-Panting, a Project Link College and career advisor with Waco High School in Waco, Texas, the EOV was definitely a worthwhile experience.
“I really had no grand expectations prior to attending; however, after experiencing it, I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen,” said Grant-Panting. “I think the EOV provides a better understanding of not just what the Navy does, but the military as a whole.”
The group visited Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX (HSC 6), USS Alexandria (SSN 757), USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC) Training Center, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Navigation, Seamanship and Ship-handling Trainer (NSST), Pacific Beacon Housing, the Fleet Readiness Center, and the Navy's Undersea Rescue Command, among others.
The highlight of the EOV for Grant-Panting was touring HSC 6.
“My favorite part of the visit was touring the helicopter hanger and witnessing the roles that female Sailors have in the squadron,” said Grant-Panting. “I watched female supervisors commanding attention and respect. My favorite was seeing a Latina Sailor working on a helicopter. She made it obvious that the military is not just a man’s world.”
Joining Grant-Panting on the EOV was Jarrod Mathis, a Career Success professional with Baylor University and Alison Smith, principal of Midway High School located in Waco.
“This program is invaluable for educators, but I wish that every single American could experience a trip like this,” said Mathis. “Touring submarines, hospitals and ships was fascinating and learning about scholarships opportunities was very helpful. My greatest takeaway is a deeper understanding of the sacrifice and hard work that goes into keeping our country free.”
For Mathis, his most rememberable part of the EOV was touring the USS Alexandria.
“I had never even seen a submarine; they were things which I only saw in movies and books,” said Mathis. “I never would have imagined that I would have the chance to walk through the halls of one, view a torpedo room, and learn about the systems that recycle oxygen.”
“The men we spoke to, for the most part, loved being on a sub crew and it showed in their preparedness and their knowledge,” Mathis continued. “They reminded me that most things in life, be it leadership opportunities or expertise or success, are only attained through hard work day-in and day-out.”
Grant-Panting and Mathis highly recommend other educators and counselors attend the annual EOV.
“This trip changed my perception of the Navy and the military,” said Grant-Panting. “I come from a community where it's not a positive thing to join the military. This trip made me see that, just like college isn't for everyone, the military isn't for everyone but it can be perfect for others.”
“I also see the Navy as more than just a place for people who want to just protect the country,” Grant-Panting continued. “It's for people who have a passion for a number of things from being mechanics to creating prosthetics for wounded soldiers. There’s literally something for everyone, and I really appreciated that.”
“While I’ve always had a respect and appreciation for our military, I knew very little about the Navy prior to this trip,” said Mathis. “After spending a week learning about all the different facets of the Navy, my appreciation was taken to a whole new level. I have so much gratitude and admiration and respect for the men and women who have served and continue to serve in Navy. I wish every civilian could experience what I did this past week.”
According to NRD Commanding Officer Cmdr. Nicholas Gamiz of Albuquerque, N.M., the EOV participants came into the week with varying perspectives about the Navy, most of which were based on anecdotal stories.
“Our guests left with a greater appreciation for the remarkable Sailors they met, the level of professionalism exhibited, and the large breadth of mission areas the Navy covers, said Gamiz, who assumed command of NRD San Antonio in June. “As the EOV participants take this perspective back to their schools, they will undoubtedly generate a more positive community opinion of the Navy and those who choose to serve.”
Other schools represented at the EOV included Poteet High School, Eastside Memorial Early College High School, Bandera High School, Winston Churchill High School, and Wagner High School.
“The investment into this program will reap great rewards for years to come, and the Navy should continue to commit resources to enhancing community relations in this way,” said Gamiz.
NRD San Antonio’s area of responsibility includes more than 34 Navy Recruiting Stations and Navy Officer Recruiting Stations spread throughout 144,000 square miles of Central and South Texas territory.
NRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 18 Navy Recruiting Districts and eight Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,330 recruiting stations across the world. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.