Shadow Day Lights A Path For Students
Story & Photos by SPC Charles Ames - Posted Aug, 2000
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Who is at the controls of the passenger liner taking you and your family on vacation? How up-to-date is the training given to the firefighter responding to your call? Where was your x-ray technician trained? Many of these specialists received their training from the United States military. Follow a group of young students from Foss High School as they learn about discipline, responsibility and high-tech training opportunities.
A utility truck swerves off of the road and onto a grassy field. Two men jump out and start to run. A few seconds later, an Air Force Security Police cruiser screeches to a halt just a few feet behind the truck. The suspects draw guns and fire a few shots before fleeing across the field. The officer opens the rear door and without a word, a fearsome looking German Shepard darts across the grass. One suspect sees the dog heading directly for him and dives to the ground, sprawling out flat.
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A short command from the handler, and the dog zeroes in on the second gunman. He raises his arm to protect himself and the dog's training takes over, launching him into the air to fasten onto the man's forearm.
The Security Policeman, SrA Gaulke, and his military working dog, Aron, quickly have the situation under control and the gunmen in handcuffs.
It could be a scene straight out of 'Cops' but for the round of enthusiastic applause the pair receive from a crowd assembled nearby.
It's all part of Career Fair / Shadow Day. Among the crowds are 48 Junior High School students from Henry Foss High. They are cadets from that schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), and today they are getting an overview of military career opportunities.
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Earlier a mock plane was enveloped in fire just a few meters from the landing strip, as the firefighters of the McChord Air Force Base Fire Department showed off their skills.
Soon after, a group of paratroopers glided silently in behind the assembled youngsters as they moved from the form of the smoldering plane to a nearby meadow.
Moments later, fireballs erupted as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team ignited two demonstration charges for the eager crowd of potential de-fusers.
Cadet Master Sergeant Kyle Hudson is the enthusiastic First Sergeant for Foss' Air Force JROTC Detachment 941. "I really enjoyed the explosives! Watching the bombs go off - man! That's exciting to me. So is the fire department."
"When I watched the firefighters put out that fire, it got me right in my stomach, because that's totally my goal in life is to be a firefighter. I'll either join the Air Force to get my training or go to Bates Technical College."
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Cadet Captain Amanda Peterson is the Director of Operations for todays 'mission'. "I think it's a great opportunity for people to come out and see what the Air Force is really about. It's not all about the planes, and the wars; we have other goals and missions in life."
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Young people like Peterson give hope to Brigadier General Sutton, the commander of Air Force Recruiting. He was visiting McChord as a distinguished visitor and guest speaker during the Career Fair / Shadow Day.
General Sutton indicated that while willing applicants are not a problem, the readiness of the applicant is. "What's the best way a young person can prepare for service in the Air Force? First, stay physically fit. Second, finish high school - work hard at your academics. Third, stay morally straight - don't use drugs, don't cross the law."
Maj. James Phillips, Jr. is Foss' Senior Aerospace Instructor, and is always ready to discuss the part that JROTC and the Career Fair / Shadow Day experience plays in these young lives. The students have also toured the News Tribune and took a flight in a new C-17, the newest plane in the Air Force.
"We've had 750 students go through here in a six-year period of time. It's about careers and teaches kids about the military, but it's also a break away from school with education; we call it 'learning in process'. They tend to spread the word," said Philips.
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"Only about 10% go on to the military, but JROTC is a leadership program so, military or not, hopefully they've learned some leadership skills that they can use in the civilian world."
Until recently, Cadet Major Ronaldo Barnes was Squadron Commander over 5 'flights' consisting of 100 cadets. He gave up his command to join the Cadet Inspector General's Staff. He is also on the Drill Team and a member of the Color Guard. He has earned the unit's Superior Performance Award.
In just a couple of months, Barnes is joining the Marine Corps Reserves. His mentors say that he is a quiet and efficient cadet. He says of the program; "It shows different services. We're at McChord and Fort Lewis today, but soon we'll be going to Bangor Submarine Base. Recruiters from all services come and talk to us. JROTC is just basic military training and experience; we just happen to wear an Air Force uniform."
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Later the cadets toured Fort Lewis' Madigan Army Medical Center. There they were shown the X-Ray and Emergency Departments, and Logistics where automated carts creep their way through interstitial crawlspaces between floor levels.
Recently, Sherrilynn Titialii became the new Cadet Commander for the detachment. She has been a former Flight Commander, a Drill Team Element Leader and the Commander of the Color Guard.
The Career Day / Shadow Day tours are critical crossroads on her career track. She recommends the experience to her troops.
"I suggest that anyone interested in the medical field do a trip like this because they explore more of the field and the people who work it. If someone wants to be an medical professional, they can go one-on-one with someone and ask questions."
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Cadet Flight Sergeant Anthony McCleary attends a private school that has no JROTC. He commutes to Foss to be a part of the program. "This is excellent learning; I get to see whats going on out here with the JROTC program, and still get to attend my own school. It's the best of both worlds."
Cadet Airman Chung Park is in his first year, yet already a Color Guard member; "I'd love to join the Navy. I just want to travel around the world, then be an Emergency Medical Technician. At the hospital, someone told me to go through their volunteer system there, get a free education. I learned a lot here. There's a lot of options."
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But after the experiences he has had today, Park told us he was now giving serious thought to pursuing an Air Force commission as a pilot. He'd like to fly one of the new C-17s he'd seen today, then transfer his training to a commercial airline.
It's pretty obvious that this program is making an impact in the lives of these young people. If you would like more information on how to pursue a career with the Washington Air National Guard, just click here!
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