MCIEAST Communication Strategy & Operations -- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune hosted approximately 200 students from Onslow County Schools for a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field trip at W.P.T. Hill Field earlier today, offering students a hands-on look at the technologies and capabilities that support today’s Marine Corps.
The event, conducted from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., featured a wide array of static displays and interactive demonstrations designed to introduce students to STEM applications in military operations. Students rotated through multiple stations in small groups, engaging directly with Marines from across II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Headquarters and Support Battalion, and other subject matter experts.
A highlight of the day included the landing of a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter and a static display of a MV-22 Osprey, giving students a rare opportunity to observe aviation operations up close before later exploring the aircraft while on the ground. Additional exhibits showcased unmanned aerial systems, robotics, communications equipment, and meteorology capabilities. Emergency response assets, including fire trucks and a military police vehicle, were also on display to demonstrate installation support functions.
The students were also treated to a visit by Brig. Gen. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr., commanding general, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCIEAST-MCB) Camp Lejeune, and Sgt. Maj. Wesley O. Turner II, command senior enlisted leader, MCIEAST-MCB Camp Lejeune, who both welcomed students and took time to answer a multitude of questions about the Marine Corps.
“The majority of you know how we [train] as U.S. Marines. When the Nation calls, we never let [it] down,” Turner said. He then commended both the teachers and staff for their support of military families adding, “[Onslow County Schools] are very accommodating to military students. You know that they have a unique set of challenges; their lives are a little more complex.”
The event was coordinated between Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Onslow County Schools, a district widely recognized for its commitment to supporting military-connected students. Approximately half of the students in attendance come from military families, underscoring the close ties between the installation and the local community.
All participating schools in Onslow County have earned the Purple Star designation, highlighting their dedication to assisting military children through transitions, deployments, and other unique challenges. Onslow County Schools has also gained national recognition, producing the Military Child of the Year for two consecutive years and fostering programs such as Student 2 Student (S2S), which help new students integrate while promoting leadership and peer support. Onslow County Schools also attained a historic first this past March – becoming the only district in the nation where every school is partnered with a Marine Corps unit through the Adopt-a-School Program.
The field trip provided students with exposure to real-world applications of science and technology while strengthening their connection to the Marine Corps mission. By engaging directly with Marines and exploring advanced equipment and capabilities, students gained a deeper understanding of how STEM supports national defense and everyday operations aboard the installation.
To view photos and b-roll from today’s event, please visit: