LOCAL

NJ Army National Guard visit VHS with Blackhawk and opportunities

Deborah M. Marko
The Daily Journal
Kaylee Roig of the Vineland High School ROTC program sits in the pilot's seat of a Blackhawk helicopter during a New Jersey Army National Guard visit to the campus on Thursday.

VINELAND – The New Jersey Army National Guard dropped out of the sky Thursday to talk to Vineland High School students about the education and employment opportunities they offer.

About 10 a.m., a Blackhawk helicopter landed in the East Chestnut Avenue field usually reserved for marching band practice.

Sgt. Tyrone Gibson told The Daily Journal the visit was to promote the national guard’s 100-percent free tuition incentives as well as job training for various fields, including aviation.

More than 140 students from the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program and the ROTC talked with the guardsmen.

Kaylee Roig accepted an invitation to jump into the pilot’s seat.

 “So many controls,” she said, studying the cockpit’s gauges and dials.

The visits also promoted some physical fitness when the guard erected a 30-feet high rock climbing wall. 

A student who made it to the top pressed a buzzer and earned the cheers of those below.

A few students quickly recognized a former classmate, despite his camouflage.

Vineland High School Class of 2018 graduate Alaattin Ardahan returned to his alma mater as a New Jersey Army National Guardsman on Thursday. He greets his former teacher, Bob Rush, of Jobs for America's Graduates program.

A year ago, Alaattin Ardahan was starting his senior year and playing left guard for the VHS Fighting Clan football team.

“Four years went by so fast,” he said.

Ardahan is taking a national guard path to a law enforcement career using the free-tuition incentives to attend Rutgers University.

In a few more years, he hopes to be back in a different uniform addressing his alma matter as New Jersey State Police trooper.

For more information, click on www.njarmyguard.com

Deborah M. Marko: 856-563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com; Twitter: @dmarko_dj

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