The US Navy's traveling Strike Group experience brought a suite of immersive virtual reality demonstrations to Tohopekaliga High School in Florida on 5 March 2026, offering students an up-close look at naval technology, aviation, and career pathways through interactive simulation. The visit was organised by the Navy Talent Acquisition Group Jacksonville as part of a broader nationwide outreach programme aimed at connecting high school students with STEM careers in the military.
Three interactive stations formed the centrepiece of the experience. The All Hands station placed students on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier using Meta Quest VR headsets, simulating coordination tasks that required teamwork and communication. The Support station featured an interactive electronic world map exploring naval humanitarian and disaster relief operations. The Fly station offered a full-motion F-35C Lightning II flight simulator, providing a physical sense of naval aviation.
Navy ROTC scholarship opportunities valued at up to $180,000 were highlighted during the event. Petty Officer 1st Class Jackie Hart noted that the experience was designed to reach digital natives and show them a side of military service beyond the traditional image. Retired Lt. Cmdr. Fred Morrow described the experience as bringing classroom lessons on leadership and responsibility to life. Student Aiden Collazo reported that the VR felt genuinely immersive and required real teamwork, prompting genuine curiosity about a naval career.
