Albion grad shares path to Navy with students in security and law enforcement program

Posted 17 February 2023 at 4:03 pm

Provided photos: Master-At-Arms Bryan Van Wycke meets with students Dudley Gilbert, Bailey Brewer (Royalton-Hartland), Phallon Rivera (Medina), Gabrielle Rosenbeek (Newfane), Gavin J. Philips (Barker) and Jorden Hagen (Lockport).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Bryan Van Wycke is a 2018 Albion graduate who attended Dudley Gilbert’s Security and Law Enforcement program at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

After graduation, Van Wycke joined the Navy and became part of their military police known as a Master-At-Arms. Master-At-Arms provide security on ships, at bases and at military installations all around the world.

Van Wycke stopped in to the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center to talk to the Security and Law Enforcement classes of Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Gene Newman. Van Wycke talked about his career in the Navy.

“I wanted to be a police officer, but didn’t want to wait around for three years to become one, so I thought I would join the military and get some experience and have my college paid for,” he said. “I debated between the Marines and the Navy and thought the Navy was a better path for me.”

Van Wycke shared with the classes his experiences overseas and what he enjoys about his job.  He talked about his training at boot camp where he learned antiterrorism techniques, armed sentry/post standing techniques, crime prevention, military and civil law, communications, first aid, firearms deployment and physical restraint techniques.

He encouraged students interested in joining the military to talk to friends and family members in the armed forces and bring a parent or guardian with them when they talk to a recruiter to help ask questions and make a decision.

“It is a great opportunity to help you with your career and schooling and I would highly recommend it,” Van Wycke said.