Throughout high school everyone stresses the importance of the advantages of college. But college isn’t the only way to better yourself after high school.

This year we have 12 graduating students that have chosen the military as their next step in life.

The military provides a different learning experience than college life. While also paying for your schooling, the military teaches young adults through life experiences instead of textbooks. For many people, college is not for them, they want to be challenged physically and mentally through something that does not strictly involve a classroom.

The armed forces can offer many huge advantages. For instance a soldier in active duty has housing, utilities, food expenses, education, and many more assets paid for by the government while also earning money at the same time.

The military teaches young men and women important life skills that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. Self-discipline, respect, loyalty, courage, honor and commitment.

Senior Harlin Camarena said that he is enlisting, “strictly for the benefits. By the time that I graduate from boot camp and complete my M.O.S. I will have enough money to buy a new car up front.”

Jesse Rivera said, “I wanted to do something different with my life…something that was right for me.” When asked what he hoped to get out of it he stated simply, “honestly, just the experience.”

The military can be an awesome opportunity for those who lack self-discipline and would otherwise have difficulty saving money and finding a career instead of a job. It allows people to explore potential careers so that they don’t end up stuck with a career that they are not passionate about.

For those who feel that college is not for them, talk to Ann Bergen in the career center or go see a recruiter for details about taking the military aptitude test(ASVAB) and taking the next step towards joining the U.S. Armed Forces.