Dahlgren, Va. – Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC), its co-located learning site SCSTC AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), 19th Space Defense Squadron (19 SDS), and Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Richmond hosted students and instructors from Stafford High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (NJROTC) onboard Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, Sept. 25. 
 
Twenty-four NJROTC cadets and their instructors visited Dahlgren as part of an effort to help potential future warfighters learn more about the different careers and opportunities found in the U.S. Navy.
 
Today, recruiting is an "all-hands-on-deck" effort, not only for Navy recruiters, but for our active and reserve fleet, retired Navy veterans, and community leaders.  Our Dahlgren based commands have taken the initiative and are building and maintaining vital relationships with future Navy warfighters and the communities where they live.

The day’s events began at NSWCDD where Commanding Officer, Capt. Philip Mlynarski, spoke to the students, giving them a brief overview of operations while stressing the importance of academics.
 
“The most important thing you can do regarding your future is your academic grades,” said Mlynarski.  “That’s what colleges and employers look for right out of the gate. Please continue to study hard and make your best effort. If you do, I see all of you succeeding and being the future leaders of the Navy!”
 
After NSWCDD, the cadets traveled across base and were welcomed by SCSTC’s Commodore, Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr. and SCSTC ATRC’s acting Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jakub Nowakowski.
 
“SCSTC is a global training organization that consists of 15 learning sites and detachments, including the schoolhouse you are currently in,” explained Kessler.  “Annually as a domain, we deliver training to over 37,000 U.S. Navy Sailors as well as 700 international Sailors from 27 partner nations.  We train Officers and eight enlisted ratings.  Today, you will see STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] in all facets of the schoolhouse and learn about the officer and enlisted training we provide Aegis Sailors and have the opportunity to operate the equipment they work on and employ in combat.” 
 
The AEGIS Combat System is a well-designed grouping of the AEGIS Weapons Systems with Anti-Air, Ballistic Missile Defense, Anti-Submarine, Anti-Surface and Strike Warfare, and associated weapons and communications equipment.  All elements of these systems are taught at SCSTC ATRC.
 
“Our mission is to provide the U.S. Fleet and our allies with highly trained surface warfighters to maintain, operate and employ the AEGIS system and you will be able to experience that firsthand today,” said Nowakowski.  “You will interact with both Enlisted and Officers from various backgrounds and have hands-on time in our labs.”
 
After the tours concluded, Lt. Col Jonathan Smith, commander, 19 SDS, provided students a presentation about STEM to space.  19 SDS is a unit within U.S. Space Force (USSF) and is responsible for providing continuous space domain awareness for government, civilian, and international users. The USSF was established in 2019, creating the first new branch of the armed services in 73 years. 
 
“Space capabilities are part of everyday life and across the globe, Guardians design, acquire, field, test, operate, and defend the critical space systems the nation, and the world, heavily rely upon,” said Smith.  “Whether you are interested in becoming a Guardian, joining a different branch of service, or working for a government organization, such as the Department of Defense, stay the course, always be willing to learn, and make good decisions.  The decisions you make today will impact your future.”
 
What began as a gun test facility at the end of World War I, NSF Dahlgren has since evolved and expanded into a major shore installation that is responsible for numerous scientific and response-force missions serving all branches of the U.S. armed forces.
 
“NSF has nearly a dozen military commands and supporting organizations that are contributing directly to a multitude of critical defense programs and operations on a worldwide scale,” said Kessler.  “It is important that we host visits like this to share our knowledge, experience, and expertise with students who could be the future generation of our warfighting force.”
 
For more information about Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, visit:
https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NSA-South-Potomac/Installations/NSF-Dahlgren/
 
For information on the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program, visit: https://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/njrotc