Interaction with the U.S. Military
One of the most unique aspects of the program is the opportunity for cadets to be guests on a U.S. military base. Each year, the Academy works with the military to provide the most interactive and exciting experiences possible. Students are shown the hardware of our military by the people who operate it. Below are some previous experiences of the 2007 Academy classes:
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA: Cadets hosted on Quantico have participated in the Marines’ night vision training facility, where they negotiated a specialized obstacle course in the pitch black using night vision goggles (NVGs), a martial arts demonstration, a tour of the Presidential helicopter HMX-1 and a weapons simulator.
Navy Regions Southeast and Southwest: Our cadets have toured a Destroyer (USS Carney DDG-64), participated in training simulators at the Trident Training Facility at Naval Sub Station King’s Bay, toured a P-3 Orion aircraft squadron, and viewed a demonstration by Navy working dog teams that just returned from Iraq. Both Navy and Marine Corps installations in California have hosted our cadets, allowing them to engage in hands-on experiences with SH-60b helicopters, Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), Navy ships, and touring the Navy SEALs Basic Underwater Demolition School.
FL National Guard Camp Blanding, FL: Cadets have been housed in squad bays at Camp Blanding and have participated in various activities on base including the Confidence Course where cadets negotiated a variety of obstacles promoting teamwork.
These unique life opportunities are not mere field trips. These interactive experiences provide positive reinforcement of the activities and curriculum of the Academy.
