The gym at Farmington High School turned into a military Tactical Operations Center last week as the Army National Guard brought the nationwide Mission Day tour to the school to provide students an immersive opportunity to see what it’s like to serve in the Guard. The six-man mobile unit was only in Utah for one week and Farmington High was the only school in the district to have the opportunity to experience it. 

“Our school just earned our Military Purple Star Designation this past year,” said Principle Justin Whittaker. “We are looking for ways to continue to support our military students and to recognize the sacrifices that their families make for our nation.”

Students participated in a series of activities that simulated real missions such as:

• Tactical Operations Center – students learned that their unit had been called in to respond to an emergency and received briefing on the mission.
• VR Firefighter – This immersive VR experience gave students a taste of what it’s like to protect lives and property from a wildfire. In addition to VR goggles, students suited up in real-world firefighting gear to virtually battle the flames.
• VR Field Clinic – Students received instructions on performing CPR + defibrillator training in a Virtual Reality experience; wrapping immobilization splints to arms or legs and applying a tourniquet.
• Night Vision Search & Rescue – Students got experience in what it is like to perform a rescue operation in the dark while wearing night vision goggles. They entered a dark enclosure where they attempted to rescue a missing person. 
• Hazmat Cleanup – Students had to see how fast they could put on a regulation hazmat suit before working together to contain a hazardous material and seal it in a containment vessel.

“We come in and show the kids all of the opportunities they have in the National Guard,” said Recruiting and Retention NCO, Sean Distance. “We get to tell them about the jobs and education benefits of it and how it can help pay for college.”

Students take the SASVAB (Student Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), it’s similar to the ACT, he said. “It helps with career exploration. It has software that connects to Utah jobs. You might say ‘hey I want to be a mechanic.’ That could align with your aptitude score on the test and the school could set up an internship or job.”

It’s free to the school, said Distance. “We love it when students have as many opportunities as they can.”

Mission Day gives students the opportunity to see another way they can access college, said Mueller Park Junior High office manager, Nicole Banner. “Some kids go to college through athletics or academics and some through military support. This gives them a chance to learn about the programs and see that they can stay and become a nurse or firefighter and get a degree.”

Kids from a military family have a lot of transition, she said. “It’s hard for kids to move from place to place and have to make new friends. Davis School District is focused on making an easy transition for them.”

The district looks for ways to help them be part of the community, said Banner. “They’ve been supporting our safety, now how can we make a positive experience for you.”