MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER -- Midshipmen in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps wrapped up their week-long, education-packed stay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune July 26.
The NROTC students took part in a dinner and a military occupational specialty mixer aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River and the opportunity to ask officers of various rates and occupations any lingering questions they had about jobs that interested them.
Some midshipmen took advantage of the chance to ask officers all kinds of questions about different jobs. Questions like ‘how is the job’, ‘how does the job work day-to-day’, ‘is it enjoyable’ and ‘how long is the training’ were all commonly asked questions among the curious midshipmen.
Others, who were not as curious, were just happy to have a relaxing meal and a break from Marine Week, which they had been going through since July 22. After a week of repelling, flying in helicopters, shooting and exercising, it was calming to enjoy good food and talk among friends.
“It feels good to be able to sit back and enjoy a good meal after a long week of training,” said Midshipman Blake Wilson, a Virginia native currently attending Xavier University. “A lot of us had questions too and it’s generous of the officers to take some time out of their evening to come talk to us.”
On the contrast, the officers were more than happy to be there and give advice to some of the future commissioned officers of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The dinner was the last event for the midshipmen’s Marine Week of Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen and by Friday, they were on their way to Norfolk, Va., for Surface Warfare Week.