A Day in the Navy

On Monday, February 9, Churchill County High School students participated in the “Strike Group” STEM event, which transformed the school parking lot into an immersive, hands-on, mobile experience. The event was designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pathways and offer a glimpse into potential Navy careers. Coordinators described the event as “A Day in the Navy,” emphasizing a focus on guiding students toward STEM fields through engaging activities.

Before participating in the activities, students were required to register and receive dog tags. These dog tags served as activation devices for the STEM activities, marking the beginning of their immersive Navy experience. After completing each station, students were awarded commemorative patches recognizing their efforts and achievements throughout the event.

Students were given the opportunity to attempt physical challenges similar to those undertaken by Navy SEALs, the Navy's elite special operations force. Physical training activities included pushups, tricep dips, and rope pulls, all completed against the clock as part of the Train Challenge. Successful completion of each activity earned participants points, which were tracked on a top-ten leaderboard. One of the highest scores recorded was 214 from Wyatt Dixon, with teacher Billy Thompson close behind at 213 points, and Carson Melendy with a 199.

Many students repeatedly attempted the Train Challenge to boost their scores. Dacoma Miner, for example, returned seven times to improve his high score, finding tricep dips particularly challenging but showed unrelenting persistence.

Another highlight of the event was a station featuring a replica BUD/S Log. Here, students could read about the rigorous SEAL training and take photos with the log. BUD/S stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, a renowned training program recognized as one of the most demanding in the U.S. military. During BUD/S, Navy SEAL candidates are required to work in teams and carry 180–200-pound logs during intense exercises designed to test their core strength, physical endurance, and mental toughness. 

This BUD/S log station proved valuable to students by providing informative content and serving as a photography setting.

The SEEK Challenge gave students more than just physical training, it allowed them to explore the interior of a Navy submarine. Groups of four worked together to reach Camp Sea Dragon, a deep-sea location. Each team included a pilot, a navigator, a weapons system specialist, and a nuclear engineer.

In the SEEK Challenge, the navigator relayed coordinates and compass data to the pilot, who steered the sub. The weapons specialist checked the route for potential obstacles or unidentified targets, such as whales or an enemy ship, which might appear. The nuclear engineer maintained suitable conditions for the weapon system and communicated updates to the navigator, who then informed the pilot. Adjustments would then be made by all, and so it continued. 

High school students Michael Liston (navigator), Magui Basurto (pilot), Claire Hahn (weapons specialist), and Mariel Jamela (nuclear engineer), all scored above 70 percent on The SEEK Challenge. Michael achieved 93 percent, Magui 91 percent, and Magui especially enjoyed the challenge of piloting her ship and reaching Camp Sea Dragon.  

Five students used Meta Quest 3 headsets to practice Navy flight deck tasks at the All Hands station, including piloting aircraft and handling Aviation Boatswain’s Mate duties such as launching and refueling operations.

This immersive training allowed participants to experience realistic scenarios on a virtual flight deck, helping them build confidence and skills in complex environments without the risks of actual live operations. The Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headsets delivered high-definition visuals and responsive controls, allowing students to learn proper procedures for aircraft guidance, fuel management, and teamwork. By simulating various challenges and emergencies, the program also prepared trainees for unpredictable situations they may encounter on real flight decks.

Finally, there was a pull-up station complete with leader board and a recruiting booth. 

Superintendent Derild Parsons was on hand to witness the “Strike Group” and said, “This event is awesome, especially for a military-enriched community like Fallon, Nevada. Not every student comes to school for regular classroom subjects. They come for real-life experiences that offer an alternative career pathway besides college.”  Photo below:  Dacoma Miner takes on the Train Challenge multiple times, testing his Navy SEAL mettle.  Staff Photos.