Caring for the Country
Senior pursues purpose in military service
With so many choices at their fingertips, high school seniors are swamped with decisions about what to do with the rest of their lives. Many are thinking about jumping into the workforce or obtaining a college degree, and some are also hoping to give back to the country that allowed them to have these opportunities in the first place. BV senior Jason Brendel is one such person who is hoping to serve the United States in the military.
“My dad’s in the military, and I always just wanted to serve. I feel like I have an obligation to serve our country,” Brendel said. “I know what my dad does as an Army enlisted soldier. I can handle that, and that’s something I want to do.”
Brendel is not yet sure which branch of the military he wants to pursue, but his decision will be based on which school he is accepted into.
“If I get into West Point, I’ll go Army. If I get into the naval academy, I’ll go Navy,” he said. “That has a big toll on what branch I get into.”
Brendel has done some things to prepare himself for his military career, including learning more about the entry process.
“I’ve definitely tried for big colleges like the service academies, and then also just expanded my knowledge on all the ways to get into the military,” he said.
Not only is Brendel figuring out what he needs to do to get to the military — he also has his sights set on his goals for when he gets there.
“I’m going to try to serve at least 20 years. If I go Army, maybe colonel or general, if I go Navy, maybe captain or admiral, we’ll see,” he said. “And then really just try to do as much as possible.”
The military opens many doors to those who choose to serve.
“Serving in the military in America is a great opportunity,” Brendel said. “There’s so many benefits. The experience you get from it looks good on job applications.”
Because of all that America provides for its citizens, Brendel believes everybody should do some type of military service in order to give back to the country.
“[In] other countries they’re forced to [serve],” Brendel said. “Being in this country where you’re not being told to join, you should do it, even if it’s for like two years.”
