Local high school students explore military careers at the 165th Airlift Wing

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - For many high school students in the Savannah area, stepping foot on a military aircraft for the first time could be the start of a career in uniform.

JROTC students from Effingham and Dublin high schools visited the 165th Airlift Wing Friday to learn about opportunities within the Air National Guard.

While the Savannah area is known for its military presence at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart, the 165th Airlift Wing maintains an equally important role, serving both state and federal government operations.

The visit provided students with firsthand knowledge about the skills and career paths available in the Air National Guard.

“In the Air National Guard they learn a skill,” said Col. Puanani Miller, Deputy Commander of the 165th Airlift Wing. “That skill could be something similar to what they do on the outside or it could be something completely different.”

The highlight of the tour was a ride in a C-130 Aircraft, a first-time experience for many of the visiting students.

“I think the biggest takeaway for me is to get a lot of these students out of their comfort zones,” said Torrance Martin, Senior ROTC Instructor at Dublin High School. “In some cases a lot of them have never been on an airplane before, some have never been up close to one before, so getting them to see something that they’ve never seen before will only open doors to them in their future.”

Beyond recruitment, the 165th Airlift Wing plays a vital role in the local community.

“It’s our citizen soldiers who live and work in the local areas and the communities and they come together to help their fellow citizens,” said Miller.

An example is the 165th Airlift Wing team that was called to help take care of the Savannah airport fire on Sunday.

READ: Fire crews contain grass fire at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

The tour and experience provides something beneficial that instructor Martin believes is valuable for anybody.

“Even if you don’t choose to go into the military the things we teach here: time, integrity, service before self, those things always transition into whatever they do after high school,” said Martin.

The 165th Airlift Wing conducts these educational tours throughout the year with different schools, providing students with the opportunity to learn about the benefits and possibilities a military career can offer.