U.S. Navy Unveils Groundbreaking ‘Strike Group’ Mixed-Reality Experience at Central Union High School

The U.S. Navy hosted a full-day event at Central Union High School on Thursday, March 13th, unveiling the innovative ‘Strike Group’ mixed-reality experience designed to inspire the next generation of leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The event featured interactive challenges aimed at showcasing the Navy’s diverse career paths while highlighting the service's technological advancements.

The ‘Strike Group’ experience is aptly named after the Navy's formidable Carrier Strike Group formations, which consist of thousands of personnel and represent the pinnacle of naval technology and teamwork. Rear Admiral James P. Waters, Commander of Navy Recruiting Command, expressed his excitement for the initiative: “From the depths of the sea to the heights of the stars, America’s Navy is the most highly skilled, technologically advanced military force in the world. A STEM career in the Navy provides a life-changing experience filled with adventure, teamwork, and support, and the ‘Strike Group’ brings all these aspects to life in the most realistic ways possible.”

Petty Officer Toppaf, the recruiter in charge for Yuma and the Imperial Valley, explained the reasoning behind the event, stating, “We’re spreading Navy awareness and having kids interact with jobs they could be doing in the Navy. This experience includes underwater welding, Navy diving, and a rundown of how the flight deck of an aircraft carrier works. We’ve never done this event here in El Centro, but we travel all over the US.”

During the event, students participated in three distinct challenges within the mixed-reality platform: All Hands, Dive, and Achieve. 

In the All Hands challenge, participants donned Meta Quest 3 headsets and were virtually placed on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. Working collaboratively, teams launched an F-35C Lightning II jet, assuming various roles that showcased Navy teamwork and engineering.

Marcos Sibriam, a twelfth grader, expressed his appreciation for the event, saying, “Today, the Navy came over and brought a lot of activities for us, from a pull-up competition to VR headsets for simulators. Personally, I’m not interested in the Navy, but this is really cool for students to see what activities there are and to compare them to others.”

Another twelfth grader, Joseph Carbajal, shared his enthusiasm for the day. “So far, this is pretty cool! I like the activities, especially the pull-up competition. I like the prizes they gave out. It’s pretty fun!” 

Nathan Arrozco also noted the impact of the experience: “The first activity I did was the pull-up challenge; I did 10. I’m a little disappointed in myself, but I liked it. Then, we’re doing the one where you drive the boat. This is the best recruitment event I’ve seen because it gives you the most real-life experience. I wasn’t interested in joining the Navy before, but now, after going through the simulations, I’m kind of more interested.”

In the Dive challenge, students took on the role of a Navy diver, using their skills to repair a damaged pier after a storm. This hands-on activity demonstrated the critical nature of teamwork and technical expertise in Navy operations. 

Justin Bolin, a senior, reflected on the unique experience provided by the event: “I think it’s really interesting because it brings a lot of respect to the Navy and also recruits others who are interested in joining. I participated in one activity where I was a master at arms. It was weird to see myself in that position, but it was interesting and cool.”

The Achieve challenge allowed participants to take a personality quiz that matched their interests with potential Navy roles, alongside AI-generated images of themselves in those roles. FC1 Ramirez, Alexander who is also a Navy Recruiter for Imperial Valley, was on hand to discuss these opportunities: “I’m here for the Navy Strike Group event at Central Union, talking about what the Navy means to people and the opportunities available to them. We have a booth that will show them the best job that will fit them in the Navy, along with simulators based on the flight line of an aircraft carrier and activities like boat driving and welding.”

The event not only gave a hands-on glimpse into Navy life but also aimed to spark interest in the Navy's $180,000 ROTC scholarships, with the hopes of inspiring more students to consider a STEM career path within the Navy.