When I think of my reason to join the Marines I often think back to where the Marines got their name and their stigma as an elite fighting force, in World War I, and with the bravery of a Marine Brigade.

The Marine Brigade was tasked with dislodging German forces at Belleau Woods, the Marines pressed on and won the day also winning them the nickname of “Devil Dogs” or Teufel Hunden in German despite being outnumbered.

For myself, stories like those are the ones that encourage me to try and earn the title of United States Marine, it’s a story of triumph that I want to be a part of; however, I understand that not everybody wishes that upon themselves but if you look further into it, you’ll understand that there is just so much good that the military can offer.

I know that the main reason I wish to join is to give me that bedrock of discipline and responsibility that I don’t have now, and that’s what I am mainly seeking to join the Marines. I see that a lot of young men and women need this instruction, and some think that college will get them that, but college is an expensive endeavor that might not give you the results you want.

The military should not be a field that you enlist in or attend just for free tuition or just to do something for a living, but instead, there are many options that can and will give you great skills and connections in the world. From this, I am joining the military as an Aircraft Mechanic since it is a job that will benefit me once I get out of service.

However, there’s more than just discipline and job experience that the military can offer you. Moreover, having pride in belonging is an ideal that I feel is not talked about a lot these days. For example, it feels like a lot more of us are struggling with what we should admit whereas, in the military, you’re not allowed to be alone or lonely since there’s a brotherhood that’s built up that you just can’t shake off temporarily or once you get out of service.

While the words of a kid in the Delayed Entry Program might not mean a lot to you, I feel like the words of an active-duty soldier might mean more. While he’s only a month out of Basic training, Private First Class Damian Chilcote is already enjoying his new position.

“It feels good so far, I get to do a job I love and protect the people I care about,” Chilcote stated.

To get the mindset of a fellow high school student, I interviewed senior Landon Hall, who is planning on joining the US Army after graduation.

“I don’t want to pay for college, and this was something I’ve wanted to do since I was 10,” Hall noted.

He also shed light on what he thought the Military could help him with.

“I think that the Army will help me with future careers, and if I don’t like it, it’s only 4 years, and I can embrace the suck for that long,” Hall continued.

The military is not that black and white and I’d recommend that if you think it might be of interest to you to join the military, I’d recommend talking to a recruiter but be cautious not to get suckered in with all the bonuses speak and choosing where you get to go after basic training.