Educators observe how a 3-D scanner is used to scan a piece of equipment, allowing researchers to design improvements at the Warrior Integration Site, part of PEO Soldier on Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The demonstration was one of many during the 5th Rec...
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- The 5th Recruiting Brigade brought 21 educators to the nation's capital May 3-4 to see firsthand the U.S. Army's career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The brigade, headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, invited top educators from throughout its seven battalions: Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The tour was designed to educate the educators about career opportunities in the Army so they might help convey those opportunities to America's youth.
Educators visited the Pentagon and other key military facilities in the area to gain an understanding of the 150 different career choices and developmental opportunities the Army offers.
"We are committed to education and leadership development, it's not just about being issued an M-4," said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow, commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, who was able to join the tour for a few hours.
The educators toured the Program Executive Office Soldier on Fort Belvoir, Va., where they had a chance to handle some of the Army's cutting-edge technology. Brig. Gen. Brian Cummings, program executive officer for PEO Soldier, and his staff demonstrated the Army's current and future technologies and outlined how they use STEM to protect Soldiers and maximize their combat effectiveness.
The group also made a visit to the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, known as INSCOM, and the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Meade, Maryland, which trains and operates closely with the National Security Agency.\
"I loved hearing from the younger Cyber Security Soldiers that have come here from various pathways and how they are at the cutting edge of technology," said Linda Jensen, director of Arizona College Access Network in Phoenix. "The Army is just as high-tech as any other industry and it needs people with that same level of expertise and is willing to invest in them."
Dealing with more than 20 percent of active military intelligence, INSCOM, which operates at 180 locations in 40 countries, needs highly skilled individuals to train in fields such as linguist support, logistics, coding, cyber security, communications and intelligence management.
"Due to globalization, the world has completely changed," said Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Russell, 5th Recruiting Brigade's command sergeant major. "With that, the Army will continue to advance and our Soldiers along with it."
The educators rounded out the tour at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where the Army conducts technology research and development. Presenting technologies developed at APG, several interns along with scientists and engineers highlighted various aspects of the programs and answered questions about the equipment and jobs at the facility.
The final stop on the tour was the Pentagon, one of the world's largest office buildings and home to more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel. After touring key locations in the 6-million-square-foot building, the participants had an informal conversation with Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, the deputy chief of staff for G-2, who serves as senior advisor to leadership for all aspects of intelligence, counterintelligence and security.
"If today's youth are looking for adventure, they will get to have that experience while performing a unique job within the organization," said Col. Terance Huston, 5th Recruiting Brigade commander.
At the conclusion of the tour, Huston said he hopes the two-day Army experience gave the educators a better understanding of the Army's viability as a post-secondary option for their students.
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