Ending their last year of high school, seniors have a lot to think about. Where they’re going, what they’re going to do, and how they’re going to do it. A list of seniors have decided that they’re going to go whenever the military takes them.
For these students, the decision to enlist isn’t made lightly. It comes after months of research, conversations with family and careful consideration of the opportunities and challenges ahead. Committing to military service means preparing for a future that looks very different from the traditional college route, and for many, it’s a leap into the unknown that takes courage.
“I’m already in, I ship out as soon as I graduate,” senior Thijs Dewey said. “You have to take the ASVAB, which is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. I got a 44 on it, which qualified me for all the technical jobs I like, like working on engines. I also had to go through MEPS, which is an entire day of testing and paperwork and it allows you to finally sign your name on a contract and then they give you your ship date.”
While some seniors choose to enlist and begin their military careers immediately after graduation, others take a different approach by pursuing higher education through service academies. For these students, the journey blends rigorous academic study with military training, offering a unique college experience that prepares them for leadership roles.
“The Naval Academy is a pretty unique experience,” senior Henry Hansen said. “It’s like a four-year college, but alongside that, you have to get your academics and military training. So after I graduate from there, I will go directly into the fleet as an ensign. It’ll be a four-year college experience and it’s a specific place that’s built for that instead of just a normal college and taking that on the side.”
Many young people pursue military service through structured academies, but others are driven by a deeper purpose to create change and serve their country in new ways. For many women, enlisting in the military is about more than personal growth or tradition; it’s about challenging gender norms and helping to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
“I wanted to join because of my family history in the military, but also because I want to be able to say that I did something bigger than myself to help others,” senior Madison Sparks said. “I believe that unless more women join the military to make it more welcoming to women, it’s going to stay a predominantly male profession, which I want to change.”
As these high school seniors prepare to exchange their caps and gowns for military uniforms, they carry with them a mix of hope, uncertainty, and determination. Their decisions reflect not only personal ambition but also a willingness to serve something greater than themselves. Their choice to serve highlights that the journey into adulthood is unique for each individual and often starts with a bold, defining decision.
