Navy turns virtual reality experience into a recruitment tool

The U.S. Navy recently unveiled its newest recruitment tool – a virtual reality experience that allows civilians to simulate a high-speed water extraction mission to rescue a Navy SEAL team.

"We've spent significant time and resources developing this state-of-the-art virtual reality experience to transform and elevate the way people think about the Navy," Navy Recruiting Command Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Doug "Woody" Beal said. "This display offers users the most realistic Navy experience possible. Virtual reality has allowed the U.S. Navy to come a long way. Where we once were only able to describe these experiences, now we can actually show the reality of a Navy mission in an interactive way, using the best technology available.”

Participants receive a video briefing on the mission before jumping into the experience, which sees them pilot a high-speed assault craft and extract the SEAL team. When finished, participants are debriefed and receive feedback and grading on their performance.

"It's a new opportunity to demonstrate how the Navy helps develop and deploy the most technologically advanced equipment in the world," National Director of Navy Marketing and Advertising at Navy Recruiting Command Captain Dave Bouve said. "To reach a high-caliber pool of recruiting prospects, you need high-caliber recruiting tools, and this display is truly state-of-the-art."