Joining the military fresh out of high school may be a scary thought for most but many young men and women are willing to serve to protect our freedom. The military has also created new incentives to lure in new recruits. Some join for the great financial benefits such as money for college and the G.I. bill that gives about 330 dollars a month to recruits that attend college. Others may join for a wide array of other reasons such as good citizenship, new skills that transfer into a civilian career, family tradition or just to get away from home.
This strange phenomenon of students turning into soldiers seemingly overnight is even occurring here at Eastview High School. Seniors Augustine Dann, Alicia Neu and myself have all joined the national guard. Augustine signed up as a cavalry scout with 19 Delta. Alicia enlisted with 74 Delta in chemical operations. Lastly I joined with 15 foxtrot to become an aircraft electrician.
However, I’ll be the first to say that the military is not for everyone. It requires sacrifices that many high school age students are not willing or able to make. Those who do join are very mature and have a very good sense of what freedom is and how America is built on those who serve. When I asked Augustine, “why did you join?” he replied “I joined to serve my community state and country.” Then I asked Alicia the same question and she replied with a very similar answer, “for college benefits as well as to serve my country.” Finally I thought of myself and the reason i joined was to jump start my career in aviation and serve my country.
With so many teenagers wanting to make an impact on their country I also wondered what can our country do for our youth in the military. First of all the military can get you started on your career path. I eventually want to become a pilot and with the training I receive in the military i will be well on my way. Alicia also has a similar interest in chemical operations and with the training and job experience she can also accomplish her goals. However not all jobs transfer so well into civilian life. Augustine is a cavalry scout which is a combat position. He also mentioned “My job has no direct correlation with civilian life because it’s a combat job, but the 7 army values I have learned through training will serve me in all aspects of life”. These 7 values that Augustine brought up are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. These values are instilled in all soldiers and serve them well throughout their life.
The next step after you join is to become a part of the recruit sustainment program. These are one weekend a month drills that prepare you for basic training and keep your skills sharp after basic training. Augustine has been in RSP the longest out of the three of us and had this to say about his experience, “RSP helped me prepare both physically, mentally and helped with the knowledge I would need for basic training and when I got back from basic it has kept my skills sharp”. So what do soldiers do on the weekends exactly? Alicia said “doing pt and sitting in classes learning things we need to know on the field, assembling and learning about weapons ect”.
One major hurdle that stands in most people’s way when deciding whether or not to join is basic training. It is a grueling 9 week training that is required for any position in the military. It consists of running, weapons training, hand to hand combat, obstacle courses, and much more. Again this is not for everyone but those who complete basic look back and remember it as something they will never forget. Augustine completed his basic training last summer and had this to say, “My experience at basic was an awesome and life changing one. I think I’ll have altimeters and still remember my drill sergeant’s names”. I am looking forward to the challenge of basic training and I feel prepared because of my sports back ground and all the lifting i do. Alicia is also excited for basic but has a common fear of the amount of running and marching that takes place at basic.
All of our families have been very supportive throughout our life changing decision making. Augustine’s family was happy that he joined for the right reasons and have supported him in his decision. As for Alicia’s family, everyone was supportive except for her father, who was initially scared but eventually came around. My family was also supportive due to the importance of me getting my college degree and job experience through the military.
Clearly it takes a special breed of student to transform into a soldier. However, for those of us willing and able to make the life changing decision, it is something that we never regret. The military can give us an education, job skills, and experience. The military also shapes young men and women with the 7 army values, which every soldier carries with them for the rest of their lives.
AUGUSTINE...
I joined to serve my community state and country.
My job is 19 delta which is cavalry scout (I get mos q'ed in a few months)
I plan on either being a teacher, cop or business man
My experience at basic was an awesome and life changing one. I think i'll have altimezers and still remember my drill sergeants names
RSP helped me prepare both physically mentally and helped with the knowledge i would need for basic training and when i got back from basic it has kept my skills sharp
Its at first hard waking up as early as you do in basic but within a few days you are use to it and when you get back from basic you'll be able to wake up at any time of day no problem
I am the first person in my generation of family to serve but my uncle was a navy seal and both grandpa's were in WWII
My job has no direct correlation with civilian life because its a combat job but the 7 army values i have learned through training will serve me in all aspects of life
My family at first was surprised but i joined for all the right reasons and they are very proud and supportive
My friends deffinatly look at me in a different way and respect me for serving and more and more of them are standing up to the plate as well!
ALICIA...
Why did you join?
for college benefits as well as serve my country.
what is your mos (military occupacional specialty)?
74delta chemical operations
what do you plan on doing after the military?
either switching to active duty army and turn the army into a career or furthering in my civilian career.
What has been your experience at basic training?
have not gone yet.
what has been your experience at rsp (recruit sustainment program)?
doing pt and sitting in classes learning things we need to know on the field, assembling and learning about weapons.
what has been the most difficult part of adjusting to in the military so far?
learning and memorizing all the things we need to know. For example, warrior ethos, soldiers creed, how to greet all different ranks of people and things like that.
does your family have a tradition of joining the military?
Most of them. My grandpa was in the Marines, my father was in the Air Force, my uncle and cousin joined the Navy and my other uncle and cousin are in the Army.
what skills will you receive from the military that will help you in civilian life?
the 7 Army values.
how did your family react when you told them you wanted to join the military?
They were all happy except for my father, who was scared for me but finally came around.
how do your friends feel about you joining the military?
They think its crazy, but courageous. They are happy that I am doing it.