Everyone has been asked what they want to do when they grow up, especially around Thanksgiving. While most students may choose college, other options exist, such as a career in the trades.
ELHS has invested in a recent push to provide students with options for career concentration, offering after school courses at Firmin’s Garage, Porter and Chester Institute, and General Dynamics Electric Boat. One of these classes includes a new course: The Military Vehicle Repair Program, run by the National Guard. Students get hands-on learning through experience by working on Humvees and other military vehicles, changing their oil and tires, as well as stripping down and rebuilding them.
This is an excellent program to boost your resume.
“You kinda have to have prior experience if you want to work on these things, and I just love having that knowledge,” senior Gavin Galancki said. “Your resume is going to creep to the top of the pile when they see you’ve taken the initiative taking these types of courses,” assistant principal David Fasulo said. Mr. Fasulo coordinates the Military Vehicle Repair Program with the National Guard directly. This four-day course takes place every other B day during Block 3 it will continue past B4 and end at 3:30. The class is taught by National Guard mechanics at TASMG (Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group) in Groton and transportation is provided. This course will function as a field trip, meaning the teacher’s signature is required if you miss any class time. This means that while there are no age or grade restrictions, it is recommended for upperclassmen who have two study hall blocks, so schoolwork can be made up. This is only the second year that ELHS is offering this program, but the students who took it the first time highly recommend it. “It’s pretty fun and educational, so you learn a lot.” junior Om Patel said after taking the program last fall. “It gives you an idea of what the actual [National Guard] will be like. It’s like a test trial basically,” senior Nathan Rommel said. No experience or payment is required and it is a low-intensity low-level commitment course.
