Valley View Students Learn the Army is More than Just Combat Zones

Students at both Bolingbrook and Romeoville high schools had an opportunity this month to feel what it is like to parachute off the back of an air transport or drive a vehicle in a combat zone thanks to a visit by the United States Army’s flight simulator trailer this week.

“We want to give students interactions that they wouldn’t otherwise have with soldiers and show them we’re real people and these are very real jobs and this is a very real way to pay for college,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Towal, who is the Army’s recruiter for both BHS and RHS.

“We’re trying to dispel the misconception that if you join the Army you’re going to Afghanistan. We are the infantry and that is what we do, but we also have 149 other jobs that have nothing whatsoever to do with the infantry.”

Well over 100 students in Romeoville High School’s physics classes visited the simulator, while roughly 40 Bolingbrook High School students who signed up and have had no referrals to the Dean’s Office this year went through the 60 foot, 30 ton trailer. They took part in a parachute simulator, a ground mobility vehicle simulator, and an unmanned aerial vehicle flight simulator. They also saw a video presentation and various weapons displays.

“We’re connecting America’s people with America’s Army all around the country,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Decriscio. “We’ve done the Super Bowl to Romeoville High School and everything in between.”

Editor's note: This is a press release from Valley View School District 365U. 

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