Marines make dramatic entrance to speak at Connellsville high school
CONNELLSVILLE – The sounds of a roaring engine and swirling blades caught the attention of Connellsville Area High School students, but the landing of the sleek Marine light attack helicopter gained their curiosity. “Whoa,” said one student as he watched U.S. Marine Corps pilots Maj. Robert Jablonski and Maj. Ron Pace ease the Cobra helicopter onto the front lawn of the school.
The eagerness of the students to talk to the pilots and look over the combat equipment pleased high school career class teacher Dennis Gyory.
“I like to expose them to various careers, and one of them is the military,” he said.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Gyory said the sophomores that have gone through his class appear to have taken a much greater interest in pursuing such a career.
The school alumni who return to the classroom setting to share their military experiences also inspire the students, Gyory added.
“They see all the new technologies and they are very interested in that aspect and to hear that those who have entered the military are very happy they did so, makes it a very viable option,” he said.
Gyory said presenting the option as the students enter high school gives them an opportunity to set achievable goals.
“(The military) wants the best of the best and it will take a lot of hard work on their part,” he said. “But, they can do it if they start right away and not wait until their senior year.”
Sophomore Ashley Turney said she is anxious to sign on with the Marine Corps and will do so when she reaches her 17th birthday.
“It’s a hard program, but I can do it,” she said.
Already sporting a T-shirt with the Marine Corps logo, Turney said other family members that are preparing to enter training or already taking part in the initial program have inspired her.
“At first, I wanted to go to the Air Force, but after talking to the recruiter, I changed my mind and decided to join the Marines,” she said.
Pace said the availability of an up-close-and-personal inspection of the Cobra makes an impression on the students.
“We do this throughout central and western Pennsylvania to help out with (U.S.) Marine Corps recruitment,” said Pace.
The Cobra, said Jablonski, is a dual controlled helicopter with all necessary equipment available to the pilot sitting in the front or rear seat.
The helicopter carries laser-guided munitions called Hellfire anti-missiles and wire-guided or TOW missiles when participating in combat.
It can also carry a 20-mm Gatling gun for close range engagement and 650 rounds of ammunition.
To gain entrance into the cockpit, however, requires a lot of hard work and dedication, said Pace.
“Every pilot out there has a four-year degree,” he said. “And after attending infantry school for six months at Quantico, Va., there is also flight school at Pensacola, Fla.”
In addition to piloting, Jablonski said there is also a need for those who stay on the ground to do repairs to engines and weapons.
“Not everyone wants to fly and there are opportunities for those who want to stay on the ground,” he told the students.
Both men are full-time reservists at the Johnstown training center based at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport and spend most of their time training other pilots to operate the Corps’ UH-1 Huey and AH-1W Cobra.
Although Vietnam-era equipment, Pace said the aircraft has been modified with technological and mechanical improvements and can be used in any combat mission.
“It’s a long haul, but definitely worth it,” said Pace. “It is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
“It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.”