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Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Twentynine Palms Junior High students, faculty visit Combat Center

30 May 2014 | Cpl. Charles Santamaria Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

The Combat Center enjoys its positive relationship with the local community and was recently afforded the opportunity to host local students aboard the base. Students from Twentynine Palms Junior High School visited the base’s Communications Department and the Provost Marshal’s Office, May 30, 2014, for a glimpse at the day in the life of a Combat Center Marine.

The visit touched on how Marines use lessons they have learned, such as the leadership traits, in their daily routines. Sharing what Marines do at work gave the students insight on how the military functions and utilizes leadership.

“Today taught the kids about how leadership is applied in the real world,” said Terry Brunette, leadership teacher and Associated Student Body advisor, Twentynine Palms Junior High School. “Everyone the kids saw today loved their jobs, and they're going to take that with them. I think the trip also exposed them to possible careers they may want in their life.”

Students enjoyed many aspects of the trip, one of which was the trip to PMO and the canine demonstration.

“Going to see the dogs at the kennel had to be one of my favorite parts of the trip,” said Arielle Healy, 13, president, ASB leadership. “I love dogs. Watching how the military uses them for training and police work was really enjoyable.”

The students visited the kennel to see where the working dogs were kept and got a close-up look at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service section. They also stopped at the G-6 to learn about how the base communicates.

“It was so great to see the different parts of the base and how they work,” said Kevin Maxwell, 12, student, Twentynine Palms Junior High. “Seeing the evidence room and jail cells taught me a lot about how people are punished and what happens after they are arrested.”

At the G-6, the students saw how important the Internet and telephone lines are to the base. Their visit to the base also taught the students about Internet safety and how things posted on the Internet never go away.

“One of the children brought up Instagram during the visit to the G-6,” said James Wehr, deputy operations officer, G-6. “The student was under the impression that once a photo is uploaded it’s gone forever. What the class learned was that anything uploaded onto the Internet, even if it’s taken down, remains in the Internet cloud in some way.”
 
The escorts for the visits were mostly former Marines who were able to give more insight on each part of the visit.

“Some of the positive things that come from these trips are the opportunities the children see in the military,” Wehr said. “I think it’s important for the kids to come out and see what happens on the base and how Marines operate. It opens their eyes to new things and takes them out of their normal routine and gives them insight on the military.”

After a day of touring the installation, the students got a better understanding of the military’s law enforcement and communications section and how both aspects are incorporated into the operation of the base.


Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms