Senior Tyler Vermillion plans to go into the Marines. Photo by: Brittany Frederick

By Brittany Frederick

Although entering the military may seem daunting to some, several Plymouth High School students are eager to start their military career.

Senior Tyler Vermillion is excited to start his career as a marine. Senior Tiffani Howard is going into the Army. Senior Tim Hardy is also excited to start his Marine career.  Military stands for fighting for their country and becoming brothers and sisters. Vermillion says, “basic [training] will be the hardest I think. I think the physical expectations will be very challenging.” Howard comments, “I think the physical expectations will be very challenging. The hardest thing will be being away from home.”  “For me [the most challenging part is] probably my Drill Instructor yelling at me in my face everyday,” said Hardy.

“You have to take a test called the ASVAB and once you pass that, you have to get a physical,” Vermillion said. “It [the ASVAB] is challenging to master because it takes courage and strength.”

“Then you go to Chicago MEPS [Military Entrance Processing Station] and get a full physical,” Howard said. “Stay in shape and stay out of trouble,” said Hardy. Although the military is about fighting, staying in shape also comes along with it.

Although joining the military has some disadvantages and advantages, it comes with great benefits. “There are a ton of advantages: you get to live all over, they pay for college, you learn skills you would not learn anywhere else, and you are a part of something greater than yourself. The only disadvantage is that you don’t get a bunch of freedom,”said Vermillion.

“The advantages of the Army is you get paid to do something you want to do, you get to travel, stay in shape, you get benefits, and college money,” Howard said.

“One disadvantage of joining is that you can lose you life or get seriously injured. Another [advantage] is free school for your kids,” Hardy said.

Students join the military for many reasons. Vermillion said he is joining the military “to help pay for college and because it was one of those things I have wanted to do since I was a kid.” Hardy thinks students join the military “because they want something new; they want to have a life and not have to worry about being a bum at college.”

Howard is joining the Army because she wants to “serve [my] country and travel. It’s also nice to stay in shape. I think students join the military to get out of Plymouth and see the world and to also have college paid for while serving your country.”

There are a variety of branches of the military to choose from: the Marines, Army and Navy. Each branch either involves being inside or outside.  “I will be outside most of the time and the Marines are always first to fight,” Vermillion said. Howard said that she will be a Network Specialist so she will be inside most of the time after her training. “ Yes and no, my job is logistics or bomb and ammo disposal,” Hardy said.

Students who join the military have different jobs, and some jobs are more involved and dangerous than others.