"Bring Your Kid to Work Day" at NAVFAC Southeast

Children attending the event ranged in age from preschool through high school and even college students who sought insight on possible career and educational decisions.

Capt. Doug Morton, NAVFAC Southeast commanding officer, kicked-off the event, greeting the children and sharing with them what NAVFAC Southeast does to support our Sailors.

Christine Bauer of the NAS Jax Environmental Department holds a Florida King snake as she discusses their characteristics with some children and their parents during the event.

"Today you will learn about what we do here at NAVFAC Southeast," said Morton. "Some of the things we build are great big hangars for airplanes and helicopters, hospitals, office buildings and houses for our Sailors. In order to do all of that construction we need the help of a lot of different people, including your mom or dad."

During the event the children were able to create contracts, get hands-on experience with computer parts and safety equipment, learn about construction and equipment, interact with wildlife and make their own unique insects, climb aboard a fire truck, forklift and electric car, look through the scopes of survey equipment and learn how to draft a bill and process it to become a law.

Several NAVFAC Southeast business lines and departments put together presentations that engaged and educated the children about the work done at NAVFAC Southeast.

Don Wilson, center, and Jason Gagich, both IT specialists at Navy Facilities and Engineering Command Southeast, explain the parts of a computer to a group of children during the Take Your Kid to Work Day event.

*Acquisitions: Children learned about the importance of writing sound contracts and sourcing funds for the acquisition of candy.

* Asset Management: Worked with the children on how to use survey equipment, study maps and utilize Geographic Information Systems in an effort to make their own bag of snack mix.

* Command Information Office: Children had hands-on time with pieces and parts of technology both new and old and learned how to build a computer. A webcam setup allowed the children to 'zap' each other on the computer screen, giggle eruptions ensued with each 'zap'.

* Capital Improvements: Showed the children a variety of construction projects utilizing blue prints and 3D puzzles and how to get properly dressed in personnel safety equipment necessary at constructions sites.

* Environmental: A menagerie of plant, insect and animal artifacts was displayed for the children to interact with along with a live box turtle and king snake. They showed a video on work done at bombing ranges and spoke about the importance on being good stewards of the environment. A craft center allowed the children to build a bug of their own design and imagination.

* Fire Protection: Children learned about fire prevention and safety devices in their home and smoke detectors that talk. They also took a close look at one of our own NAS Jacksonville fire trucks.

* Office of General Counsel: With the use of animation, the Office of Counsel explained how a bill becomes a law and the legal research that is involved with the work and construction projects that NAVFAC Southeast performs. A current law student working as a law clerk for NAVFAC Southeast also spoke with the children about law school and the work he does for the Navy.

* Public Works and Transportation: An electric car and forklift gave the children the opportunity to climb aboard and learn about an environmentally friendly vehicle and licensing and safe operating procedures required for industrial equipment.

* Safety: Safety specialists spoke with the children about the importance of working wisely and working safely in every job. Children learned how to properly fit hardhats, tried on safety glasses and full and half-mask respirators and learned different ways to wear various types of ear protection.

Jenna Knox checks out some antique surveying equipment in the asset management classroom.

"I volunteered to present because I believe that it is important for the children to know that the Navy has lawyers that are dedicated to the Navy and its mission," said NAVFAC Southeast Head Counsel Cathy Horan. "Hopefully, someday the children will consider becoming lawyers for the Navy as their chosen profession."

All of the presenters echoed these same sentiments. They wanted to share with the children what their parents do at work and inspire them with the possibilities and potential they each possess. Myrna Martinez, NAVFAC Southeast environmental engineer, brought her 5-year-old son, Julio with her to work.

"I believe that the most important thing the children will take away from the event is that they feel welcomed at mom or dad's work," said Martinez.

Jacob Lee tries on a safety helmet during a safety brief at the Take Your Kid to Work Day event.

She is already anticipating Julio-who enjoyed climbing on the vehicles, petting the king snake and watching the bombing range videos-asking when he can come back to work with her.

"I think the biggest thing about this even is that it goes from 2D to 3D. We tell our kids about what we do at work and maybe show them some pictures of what we do every day but for them to come in here and actually see what we do everyday is really important for them," added Erico Latham, who brought his two children, Benjamin, 5, and Amara, 3, to work with him.

NAVFAC Southeast Executive Officer Capt. John Rice, whose own daughter attended the event, traveled with the high school and college-aged group to provide additional information on the educational needs and training required for the employment opportunities at NAVFAC Southeast.

After a full morning of hard work and learning, the children and their parents were able to enjoy a picnic lunch provided by the Seabees at Patriots Grove. In addition to lunch, the Seabees brought with them a humvee and a transport truck for the children to enjoy and climb on.

NAS Jax Firefighter Mario Robinson helps Dominique Banker try on a firefighter's jacket during the event.