This past Wednesday, January 11th, my Fundamentals in Biomedical Sciences (II) class had the opportunity to participate in an individualized tour of the Mobile Alabama Coast Guard Base/Aviation Training Center. We were able to learn about the various jobs and opportunities that the Coast Guard has to offer.
We began our day with a tour of their medical facilities. We got to use machines to test lung function, eye sight, hearing, and heart rhythms (EKG) of our fellow classmates as they would typically be used to perform a physical examination of pilots to approve them to perform their jobs. These types of physicals are mandatory to take at least once a year to ensure that the Coast Guard members are physically healthy enough to perform their jobs. This Coast Guard base also had a dentistry sector where Coast Guard members could receive free cleanings/procedures. For those interested in the medical field, the coast guard will pay money for members to receive extra training/schooling, for example medical school. This is no easy task, though, because working in the Coast Guard is still a full time job on top of your school work.
We next got to the most exciting part of the day, which was using the flight simulators! These multi-million dollar simulators are used to train new pilots on the use of US military aircraft. We got to try out three different hyper-realistic simulators. I only crashed four times, so I'm basically a professional.
After using the simulators we got to learn all about the Coast Guard Academy and the benefits attending the school offers. The Coast Guard Academy does include a rigorous work load, but tuition is free and you would graduate with two degrees (engineering+degree of choice) on top of being a Coast Guard officer. The Coast Guard Academy also offers division one sports.
After this informational session we got to look at and climb inside the actual million dollar aircraft used by the Coast Guard everyday.
I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and learning what the American military has to offer.
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