Children of Fort Indiantown Gap employees gathered to explore military and civilian job roles during the installation’s annual “Take Your Child to Work Day,” now in its fourth year. The event attracted roughly 225 school-age participants from several surrounding counties, offering them direct exposure to the diverse functions that support military readiness.
The morning program consisted of four interactive sessions, each designed to showcase a different aspect of the Fort’s operations. Youths toured facilities like the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility, which simulates urban combat environments, and the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES), responsible for storing and maintaining combat vehicles and engineering equipment. Other highlights included visits to the Civil Support Team, specializing in response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and virtual trainer simulators where students experienced high-fidelity medical and weapons training.
In addition to exploring equipment and operations, the event provided children a chance to engage with military personnel. Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General, Major General John Pippy, addressed the group and encouraged youngsters to consider a future in the military after experiencing simulator training, a favorite activity among attendees. The program also included a boxed lunch where children shared their impressions and discussed what they learned firsthand about military careers.
For families like that of Bradley Rank, a National Guardsman and employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the day offered practical insight for his children. His 16-year-old daughter, Lillian, expressed admiration for the Fort’s operations and valued understanding the range of jobs carried out behind the scenes. Her father highlighted the importance of exposing children early to career possibilities, particularly as Lillian seeks summer employment opportunities.
Participants came from school districts across Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, and Schuylkill counties, making this event a regional opportunity to connect youth with military service and support roles. The combination of hands-on training environments and personal interaction with service members aimed to broaden participants’ understanding of military and civilian occupations within the installation’s ecosystem.