MC2 A.C. Rainey An ROTC midshipman prepares to take a ride in a T-35C training aircraft as part of Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen Aviation Week at Naval Base Coronado. The four-week program is designed to introduce college and academy midshipmen to various career fields in the military including surface, submarine, and aviation warfare. U.S.

Aviation week is part of Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID), a four-week program where students engage in one-week segments of aviation, sub-surface, surface warfare and Marine Corps training.

“While the midshipmen are here at North Island, there are three main events that we try to get them involved with,“ said Lt. Cmdr. Bennet Goff, Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) CORTRAMID Coordinator. “Those include an orientation flight in the T-34 Turbo Mentor, a helicopter ride from one of the local helicopter squadrons as well as simulator time in a helicopter simulator.“

The aviation training introduces future naval officers to concepts, roles, and mission of naval aviation. Each student can then decide which community is best for them. According to Goff, this singular experience will impact each student's decision.

Aviation week inspires students to consider a career in aviation. The students learn about aviator camaraderie and experience naval flying.

“We fly them by Naval Base Point Loma and up north by the Del Mar Fairgrounds and let them have fun in the aircraft for a while,“ said Lt. Bobby Warren, a T-34 pilot instructor. “We try to let them do maneuvers and let them have fun in the sky.“

Midshipman 3rd Class Christopher Patterson, from Morehouse College in Atlanta, sat in a jump seat and interacted with Naval aviators. The experience prompted him to consider a career in aviation.

‘‘That was my first time in a T-34 aircraft. It was fun! said Patterson. ‘‘So far, I’ve learned a lot about aviation; it’s starting to change my perspective.”