Interaction with the U.S. Military
One of the most unique aspects of the program is the opportunity for cadets to be guests on U.S. military bases. 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 and 2008 Academy classes:
Fort Eustis, VA: The Simulation Center and U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School, located at Fort Eustis, gave the cadets a tour which involved viewing Apache attack helicopters and engaging in multiple hands-on activities like an Apache helicopter flight simulator, a high speed watercraft bridge simulator, a crane simulator, and a weapons simulator.
Langley Air Force Base, VA: At Langley Air Force Base, home of the 1st Fighter Wing, students enjoyed a tour of the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft the F-22 Raptor. The cadets were briefed on the aircraft’s capabilities by the actual pilots and service members who maintain these high-tech birds. The Cadets were also given a special tour of the wind tunnels at the NASA Langley Research Center. Students also enjoyed a demonstration by the Air Force’s working dogs, who also serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, alongside the service members who train them.
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, a weapons simulator, and cruised the Potomac on a Riverine Assault Craft.
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.
These unique life opportunities are not mere field trips. These interactive experiences provide positive reinforcement of the activities and curriculum of the Academy.
