Editor’s note: This article appeared in the January edition of The Chronicle, Kettle Run High School’s student newspaper. The writer serves as the newspaper’s sports and entertainment editor.

By Meleana Moore
KRHS Sophomore

While most seniors choose to attend a regular college once graduated, there are a number of students each year who opt for a career in the military.

A.J. Shafer
Class of 2010
Army

Why did you decide to join the military?
“My GPA coming out of high school was subpar; I didn't want to go to a mediocre school just because “that's what you do after high school.” I started talking to the military, and eventually decided on the Army because they offered me a great job. Also, serving three years in the military would get me four years of college paid for. The life experience of joining the military is also one of a kind.”

What did you have to do to join?
“To join the Army I needed to take a test called the ASVAB. This test just measures critical thinking skills along with technical skills. You also have to pass a medical examination, then complete basic training, and your advanced individual training before you're ‘in the army.’”

What is military life like?
“When in garrison, the Army is like a normal job, except you still have to wake up at 0530 to workout with your unit. The housing is very similar to dorm life in college. I live in a two-bedroom room with one bathroom and have one roommate. I'm on a meal plan and eat at a cafeteria or go out to eat.”

What advice would you give to someone who would want to join?
“My advice for people joining the military is to not rush the decision with the recruiter and make sure that they are getting a good job. Chances are that people will not stay in the military long and could use skills they learned in the Army and apply them to a civilian job.”

What have you done while being in the military?
“I hit my one year mark a week ago, and in the past year I've shot just about every weapon we have, including rocket launchers. I got an airborne slot while in intelligence school, and now I'm in the 82nd, so we jump out of planes all the time. I've been to South Carolina for basic, Arizona for intelligence school, Georgia for airborne training, California for a training exercise, and now I live in North Carolina at Fort Bragg where my unit is stationed. So I've traveled a lot and got to experience some pretty cool things.”

Shafer will be deploying to Afghanistan soon.

Sean Landers
Class of 2011
Army

Why did you decide to join the military?
“I started looking into joining the military junior year; that was when I actually went out and talked to a recruiter. I didn’t want to be just another college kid in debt and not have a job. I also wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

What did you have to do to join?
“For my job in particular (linguist), you have to get an 85+ on your ASVAB, and take a separate test that measures language proficiency. Score well on that and you can get the job.”

What is military life like?
“Being in the Army requires you to have a lot of discipline and motivation. As long as you do what you’re told, the Army will take care of you. I didn’t really have any expectations going in to it, other than what is common knowledge. I knew it would be tough and I knew I would get through it.”

What advice would you give to someone who would want to join?
“Start talking to a recruiter now and see what jobs are available. Talking to them after you graduate will limit what you can do as most recruiters are looking for high school students to join and are more willing to give you information if you’re still in high school. Also do your research! They may not tell you everything, not because they want to trick you, but because they may not be familiar with the job you want. Take my job for instance, I really had no idea what I would be doing other than studying Arabic and doing work in communications, because anything other than that is classified.”

What have you done while being in the military?
“Since I’ve been in, I’ve had the chance to shoot pretty much every weapon imaginable. Boot camp, aside from being physically demanding, was really a lot of fun; you get to do things most people never get the chance to do in their whole lives. Right now I’m studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., and will be until March 2013.”

Landers added, “Anyone who is seriously interested in joining, I’d be happy to answer more in depth questions about the military in general, like do's and don’ts, they can send me an email at Sean.c.landers@us.army.mil.”

Justin Rodriguez
Class of 2011
Marines

Is being in the Marines what you had expected?
“[Being in the] the Marines is what I expected and much, much more. Tough love is the name of the game. Being away from family friends, and my girlfriend is really hard, but in the end worth it.”

Do you have any advice for someone who would be seeking a career in the Marines?
“My advice is to be as physically and as mentally ready as possible. Being a Marine isn't a job, it is a lifestyle. It is the hardest branch. My message to anyone looking to join is to be prepared to be a part of something bigger than yourself. In the service you will have some of the worst and best times of your life. I am already closer to some of these guys than I am my own family. I am in the best shape of my life. I have life insurance, dental and college paid for. You get what you put out in this job. It is something to be proud of, but the job is not over once you earn the title.”

What have you done since you’ve been in the Marines?
“I have been in for five months during these five months I did 14 weeks of hell at boot camp in Parris Island and now I'm at the school of infantry.”

What is being in the Marines like?
“Being in for only a couple of months the corps has done a lot for me; benefits and brotherhood. I get paid to shoot guns.”

Rodriguez will be deploying to Afghanistan in April.

Others who decide to not go straight into the military, choose to attend military colleges.

Jeff Miller
Class of 2010
Virginia Military Institute

What is the difference between a military college and a regular college?
“VMI and some schools like this, frankly, don't have much in common at all besides academics. It is very challenging, and I am always on the move here. There are a lot of differences, mainly that there are many more military and leadership responsibilities. There are more opportunities to thrive and take on leadership roles, it is much easier to be productive instead of lazy, and also it is a very 'tight-knit' group. It is pretty nice to be able to trust nearly every one in barracks [dorms] with anything. No locks or weary feelings in this school. There are many extra-curricular activities that are mostly mandatory, as well as other things you can get into that you won't find anywhere else. These activities are meant to boost and enhance physical condition and military training mostly.”

What is some advice that you would give someone who is thinking of attending a military college?
“If you are looking into a military career, military ‘college’ is definitely the way to go. At Virginia Military Institute and at the Citadel, you can choose to be in any branch; whereas in the academies are branch specific. First of all, look around and visit. Going to the open house trips and overnight stays is the best way to go. Tour guides don't really help much. If you want a structured environment and want to be challenged, go for it. It can be very rewarding.”

What have you done throughout your time at VMI?
“Here it really seems different than other military schools because there are many opportunities to learn and lead in some training positions. I've been involved with a program that helps train new cadets, played rugby since starting out, am striving for a commission (becoming an officer) in the Air Force, and most importantly study Civil Engineering.”

What do you plan to do after college?
“I would love to fly, depending on whether I can commission in the Air Force or not. Otherwise, I would pursue a career by getting a Master's Degree in Architecture.”

Miller also added that he is more than willing to answer any questions, and can be reached at millerjm10@mail.vmi.edu.

Brandon Hartman
Class of 2011
Virginia Military Institute

How is VMI different from a regular college?
“At VMI the freshman are called Rats and they get yelled at a lot. It’s mostly different from regular colleges because there’s more discipline. We can’t leave the campus; we live in barracks and have to wear uniforms.”

What is some advice you would give a student interested in attending a military college?
“My advice for anyone who would want to go to VMI or a military school would be to be and shape, and they have to be able to take getting yelled at.”

What are your goals for after college?
“I actually want to be a sportswriter when I get out of college, but I’m [also] thinking that I might want to join the Air Force when I finish my four years at VMI; I’d graduate and then go straight into it.”

Other students are in the JROTC program to prepare them for military life.

Jake Walker
Class of 2014
JROTC Member

How does JROTC help you?
“JROTC teaches you how to be a good leader and it makes you physically stronger. You learn military history and important skills that you can use in the military.”

What are you plans once you graduate high school?
“I want to go to either VMI or West Point for four years to become an officer in the military.”

Some seniors have already started talking to recruiters, and even already have a job in the military.

Timmy Huffman
Class of 2012
Infantry

How did you become interested in the military?
“It’s something I've wanted to do for a while. I choose the Marines because they are the best and I want to be part of that elite group; I decided a while ago, I just had to wait for the appropriate age to join.”

What did you have to do to join?
“I'm already enlisted and have been assigned a job which is infantry (ground soldier); qualifications are just your basic medical issues, physical expectations, general knowledge, and the passing of boot camp.”

Marines recruiter Anthony Files suggested, for any students interested, “Work out and exercise. Definitely prepare yourself mentally, because there are a lot of times that you will want to quit.”

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