LAKEHURST, NJ –
The U.S. Army’s Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion alongside the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University and the Governor’s School in the Sciences at Drew University are pleased to announce U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel & National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut Dr. Francisco Rubio as the first virtual keynote speaker at the Governor’s School of New Jersey on July 14th.
Dr. Frank Rubio was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported for duty in August 2017 and having completed the initial astronaut candidate training is now eligible for a mission assignment. The Florida native graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Prior to attending medical school, he served as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot and flew more than 1,100 hours, including more than 600 hours of combat and imminent danger time during deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Rubio is a board certified family physician and flight surgeon. At the time of his selection, he was serving in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
From discussing his U.S. Army background to his journey to NASA, Lt. Col. Rubio will be addressing a large group of gifted and talented high school seniors from New Jersey.
“The Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion is home to many U.S. Army STEM initiatives and we’re exceptionally proud to be bridging the gap," said Lt. Col. Brendan Toolan, Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion Commander.
The Governor’s School of New Jersey was established in 1983. It is a tuition-free, summer, residential program for high-achieving high school seniors who have an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects. Currently, there are two programs: the Governor’s School in the Sciences at Drew University and the Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The programs are open to students from diverse economic backgrounds who are New Jersey residents and who have completed their junior year in any public or private high school or are home-schooled.
The mission of the U.S. Army Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion is to promote the U.S Army and meet our recruiting goals by identifying committed young people. We will seek opportunities with community leaders, corporate and civic organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and keep a well working bond with local educators, school boards and administrators. Our shared goals will inspire those who chose to make America strong and help young people plan for life.