HOHENFELS, Germany -- Two helicopters buzzed low over the treetops of the Hohenfels training area. As Soldiers piled out into defensive positions, an armored personnel carrier roared out of the forest, disgorging more Soldiers. Opposing forces along a nearby ridge opened fire, and a tank boomed out an answering shot.
While this scenario could be any average day during a rotation at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, on May 6 & 7 it served to illustrate the daily rigors of training for students from Hohenfels Elementary School and the Middle/High School as part of Job Shadow Day.
Job Shadow Day is a two-fold opportunity for students, said Cristina Echevarria, Hohenfels Middle/High School principal.
"They get to come to the box and see the actual functions that take place here during a rotation," said Echevarria. "In addition, some of these students are already college ready and career oriented, and these things give them a chance to think about the future. Whether they want to go into the military or if they want to go and study any of the fields represented here -- robotics, computer tech, medicine -- they come here and get to see them in action."
"A lot of these kids don't really get to see what their parents do other than in a movie or on TV, so this gives them a chance to come out here and experience the training that actually goes on here at JMRC," said Lt. Col. James Tully, JMRC chief of training.
Job Shadow Day at Hohenfels actually stretched over three days, with kindergarten through second grade participating from the elementary school, while third through 12th journeyed to Uebungsdorf in the training area.
Children visited various stations manned by Soldiers who gave demonstrations and hands-on experience to the students in such diverse areas as robotics, radio usage and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Some students were exposed to the Criminal Investigation Divisions equipment and capabilities, including a digital forensics demonstration for pulling information off any digital media device such as a mobile phone, tablet or personal computer, including deleted files.
Another station offered an opportunity to don night vision goggles and experience moving about in a darkened environment.
"We're showing the kids how we employ night vision and infrared devices and what we use them for," said Sgt. First Class Carlos Garcia of the JMRC Grizzly observer coach trainer team.
"The children were exposed to all kinds of math, science social studies -- they got to see how all the stuff that we learn in the classroom transfers to life and careers," said Colleen Caputo, HES third grade teacher. "And the Soldiers did a really nice job of presenting information."
Caputo said her students really enjoyed learning to "clear a room," where Soldiers walked them through the process they use when entering a hostile environment together.
"I thought it was interesting for the kids to see how teamwork is so important, and how communication doesn't necessarily need to be in words," she added.
Another example of teamwork was at the combat lifesaver skills station where groups of children practiced removing a "wounded" comrade from the field.
"I had fourth graders with me last night and they talked about how much effort was involved in that and how important it was to work as a team," said second grade teacher Gwen Gamble.
Sophomore Pauline Woods participated in the medical station by assuming the role of a wounded patient while others worked together to help her.
"I had a wound placed on my leg and they had to cut off my circulation to stop the bleeding and then wrap it up with a bandage," she said.
Other stations included weapons displays and indirect fire, where students got on a radio and, using a six point grid system, called for artillery fire.
"For all you smart math people, artillery is right up your alley," Staff Sgt. Greg Snyder, JMRC Vampire observer coach trainer, told the students. "The guys in the Fire Direction Center do all the computations of east, west, altitude, wind direction and everything -- it's basic geometry."
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