Some students follow their aspirations they have had since they were young and have already signed to be part of one of the military branches.
Among many options that face seniors as they prepare for the future, the military forces are always looking for new recruits.

Only .09 percent of current Marshfield seniors have plans to enter the military upon graduation. However, according to a survey conducted by The Marshfield Times, 32 percent have considered the option.

Senior Brittany Cook was first introduced to the military at age 12 when her brother began to look into the Marine Corps.

“I knew that college isn’t the best choice for me, so I started looking into the military,” Cook said.

Though her brother did not follow through to become a Marine, Cook has signed her four-year contract with the Air Force and will begin Basic Training on July 11 at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

After Basic Training, Cook will attend Technical Training for 60 days and then move into the Security Forces.

“A lot of people know it as military police,” Cook said.

Cook’s duties will mirror that of a police officer; however, she will be responsible for the security of the base at which she is stationed.

MHS class of 2007 graduate Sgt. Steven Mann joined the National Guard in February of his senior year and is now a recruiter in the area. He visits local high schools including Marshfield and North Bend, as well as Southwestern Oregon Community College weekly, but is also a recruiter for all towns from Reedsport to Brookings.

According to Mann, the National Guard stands apart from the other military branches because it is part-time.

“You can have a family. You can travel,” Mann said. “You just have to be where we want you to be one weekend a month.”

Though all forces either provide education or funding toward an education, the Air Force has a community college. Cook was intrigued by the thought of traveling around the country, going to college and receiving military benefits.

“I’m still getting a degree, but I get to do it while visiting all the states in the U.S.,” Cook said.

Senior Ryan Carocci, who plans to join the Army, agreed.

“Seeing the world is something the Army can almost guarantee me,” Carocci said. “I can be anywhere in the world in 18 hours.”

Carocci is set to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) on June 17, which, according to the official site for the ASVAB, is an aptitude test to help predict future success in the military.

“Ever since I was younger, I’ve always looked up to the military,” Carocci said.

If admitted, Carocci will sign an eight year contract with the Army.

Mann was first recruited in high school by the Marine Corps. At the time, his dad was in the National Guard and prompted a recruiter to talk to his son. Like many families, Mann was searching for a way to pay for college.

The National Guard provides $12,000 a year to go toward college. This, according to Mann, is his biggest selling point.

“It’s the people that don’t have enough to pay for college I’m looking for,” Mann said. “The worst case, college doesn’t work out for you, but you have job experience.”

According to Mann, persons who wish to join the National Guard may sign a contract for three, six or eight years, as long as they are between the ages of 17 and 34.

Though Cook said she is worried about the distance she will face from friends and family, she is most interested in the stability the military can bring her.

“I know I have a secure job and a paycheck and I will know that until I choose to leave the Air Force,” Cook said.