HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Twenty student interns toured areas of the 66th Security Forces Squadron and met with military justice personnel during a visit here Aug. 13.
The Boston-area high school students are participating in a summer enrichment program sponsored by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, which gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement and criminal justice.
During the tour, students got a firsthand look at life on a military base. Several students expressed interest in pursuing military service.
“This is an opportunity to expose students to what Hanscom has to offer for military and civilian employment,” said Jenny Desaulniers, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center contract specialist. “And it’s right in their own backyards.”
Students started the day with a welcome by Lt. Col. Joshua Shimko, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander. He provided an overview of the base demographics, comparing it to a small city and highlighting the functions of the 66th Security Forces Squadron, which includes both active-duty Air Force defenders and civilian police officers.
Throughout the day, students watched a military working dog demonstration, toured 66 SFS facilities, including the jail and armory, listened to a military justice briefing in the courtroom, and had the opportunity to try meals, ready to eat or MREs.
“I’m glad we got to experience all of this, because it’s opening up a path for us to see what we want to do,” said Wendy Vivas, SCSD intern and Charlestown, Massachusetts, high school student. “The tour gave us an advantage and a look at the opportunities.”
The SCSD summer enrichment program is a paid internship that runs for seven weeks.
Through the program, interns gain insight into the world of law enforcement through job shadowing, presentations by members of local law enforcement, discussions, field trips and tours.