In celebration of Navy Houston Fleet week the NROTC sponsored a Navy flight simulator event for students to participate in. The event was held Wednesday, March 2 at 11 a.m. outside the Memorial Student Center.The flight simulator served as a carnival style ride in which students had the opportunity to participate in a six minute scenario where they rode an aircraft with the Blue Angels in a real life Navy mission.
“I enjoyed the flight simulator because it seemed so real, it showed students that the Navy can be very exciting and interesting, and it also gave students an experience of what it is like to be in the Navy,” said sophomore Whitney Walker.
Students who rode the flight simulator also signed up to receive free information about the Navy and the many programs offered. Navy recruiters were on hand to answer any questions and clear up any misconceptions that they may have had about the Navy. Students were also given free Navy pens, cups, T-shirts, and a variety of other items for their participation with the flight simulator.
“The Navy Flight Simulator was brought to Prairie View as part of Navy Houston Fleet Week. The Navy recruiters wanted to come to places that aren’t fleet-concentrated areas. Our job as recruiters is to spread awareness around and tell the Navy story. We want to show the public what the Navy is like and how it has enhanced our careers,” said 2nd class Navy journalist Jason Heavner.
“This simulator allows us to visit rural areas and inner-city venues that were challenging for us to target due to the weight of the simulator and its size,” said Lt. David Shaner, director of recruiter support, Navy Recruiting Command. “This simulator will provide young men and women an opportunity to experience the U.S. Navy’s hi-tech environment and get a sense of what it’s like to be part of a winning team.