Choosing To Serve Our Country After Graduation

Today, high school graduates have many choices after high school. Sheridan County Schools offer dual and concurrent enrollment, where high school students can get a jump start on their college courses if they want to further their education. There are many Career and Technical Education courses that offer certificates if a student wants to join the workforce out of high school. One avenue that is sometimes overlooked as a start of a graduates’ adult life is the military.

Marine moms Kristina Hicks and A.J. Anelli, talked about their sons, Riley Fisher and Merlin Herrald, who are good friends who joined the Marine Corps recently at age 17, right after graduation.

Rileys mother explained why her son chose the military

The Marines shared this about the new recruits. RCT Riley Ray Fisher, Military Occupational Specialty: Enlisted Air Crew / Crew Chief. His duties will include but are not limited to; assist in operational planning, assist in pre-flight/post flight of the aircraft, assist in start-up/shut-down of the aircraft, assist in various ground taxi/take-off/in-flight/landing duties, obstacle detection/avoidance, navigational assistance, threat detection/avoidance, and operation of heavy automatic weapon systems to support ground units of defend the aircraft.

Merlin’s mother, A.J., is a Navy veteran herself, and she talked about what the military can do for young people who take that route.

RCT Merlin James Herrald, Military Occupational Specialty: Infantry, his duties will be to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy. They are ground troops who engage the enemy in close-range combat, fighting from helicopters, amphibious vehicles, motorized vehicles, and small boats. Be ready to fight in all weather conditions day or night, lead attacks and repel enemy assaults, use fire and maneuver to engage the enemy, maintain discipline and the welfare of their unit, and develop training strategies to meet evolving threats. 

Hicks added,

Another SHS Graduate to sign up for the Marines is Ardis Dekota Wallace, and her duties will be to conceptualize, acquire and produce still imagery products using digital cameras and accessories. These products support communication to internal, domestic and international audiences, commander’s information requirements, and other operations, garrison, and training. Typical duties include, but are not limited to: visualizing the final product desired; developing a shot list; acquiring images in studio, field, and combat environments using the principles of photographic composition; selecting and editing images for layout; writing; tailoring products for different audiences and mediums supporting administrative, legal, investigation, and combat documentation; conducting photographic finishing, visual and electronic quality control; transmitting and archiving; performing equipment inspections and preventive maintenance.

Staff Sg. Mike McKenna, recruiter, talked about some of the benefits that can be had by joining the military. He talked about his own experiences when he nearly 14 years ago. He said he only planned to stay for 4 years, but he continued to make the military his career. He said that the cost of college as a big factor for him in joining the military. He felt that he was unwilling to spend that much money obtaining a degree for a career that he might not like.

He added that interpersonal development was a big reason he chose the Marine Corps for himself. He said he sat down with every branch of the service before joining the Marines.

He said that the military progressed him farther than any other route would have. He added that the Marines are the toughest branch to join, with the longest boot camp. The marines may be the smallest branch, but they are very important. They do land, air and sea defense at a moment’s notice.

Although any career path should not be taken without considerable thought, graduates would do well to explore all options, including the military, when their life after high school begins at graduation.

Photos courtesy of Anelli and Fisher.