The Navy is making the rounds in Wisconsin, and visited a few high schools along the way. Navy SEALs are scheduled to hold fitness contests in physical education classes. School bands can enjoy clinics that will be offered by members of the Navy Band, and students can listen to motivational speeches given by the elite Blue Angels flying team. There are also students who can try riding the F-18 Hornet flight simulator.

Before you think all this is a recruitment stunt, think again. The goal is reportedly to volunteer their time to assist in the education of the youth, and is a way to share knowledge about the Navy to a young audience.

The 65-ton flight simulator, for instance, is similar to the simulators used for training. Twelve students can sit on benches and belt themselves in; the ride includes a video view from an airport cockpit. The lucky students who will get to try the simulator are the Tech Ed and Engineering students at Parker High School.

In Beloit Memorial High School, the SEALs brought the SEAL Fitness Challenge to PE classes. Students got to experience what it was like to take that first step to become a SEAL. The SEAL Fitness Challenge is a taste of what hopefuls need to go through to get to join the Naval Special Warfare.

Even the school’s best athletes found the activities challenging. But the students also come to the realization that being a SEAL is more than just doing a certain number of sit-ups, pull-ups and push-ups.

With the visits, the Navy does not hope to attract students to become SEALs, but to foster team work and camaraderie and promote physical fitness. The top 4 students in the SEAL challenges of each of the 6 schools that the Navy will visit will compete at the Southern Wisconsin Airfest on Saturday.