Only about 0.5% of Americans go into the military services, but two of HB’s own, Jacob Torgerson ‘19 and Kyle Swope ‘19, have enlisted into the army to serve in the United States Infantry. The two, who have undergone intensive screening and fluid sampling, are considered official members of the army.

The two are set to ship out later this year, in June, to Basic Training in Oklahoma. Basic training lasts ten weeks and is split into three main phases, called Red, White and Blue. Red stage “makes sure every recruit is physically and mentally prepared to start Basic Combat Training.” White concentrates on “marksmanship and combat training” and “instilling confidence” in trainees. Lastly they become “familiar with the use of automatic weapons and hand grenades,” and then complete a “ Night Infiltration Course.” This training will transform them from “civilians into Soldiers,” according to GoArmy. After basic training, they will officially be soldiers tasked with upholding The Constitution and protecting America’s freedoms.  

Since these two have enlisted together, they’ll be using the Buddy System, meaning they’ll be together for Basic Combat Training, Advanced Personal Training and during their first Battlestation, or the location where they’re deployed. The duo are both committed to two year contracts, and while the possibility of enlisting isn’t out of the question, the two also have options outside of the military. “I’ll have a job in the army, and if I like it, I’ll just keep doing it, but if I don’t, I’ll just go to college,” said Swope. If either of them are in active service for a minimum of 36 months, under the new GI Bill, they will be able to go to college tuition free, along with a monthly stipend.  

Through the military, Swope and Torgerson will be learning many soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, flexibility and teamwork. These skills in both military and civilian life are “more important than ever” according to Dal Hes, an author at Oxbridge Academy. By learning these skills, Swope and Torgerson will be more marketable in whatever endeavor they decide to pursue after the military.  

However, Swope isn’t just trying to develop himself professionally. The allure of “good life experiences, figuring out what I want to do, and not paying for college” appeal to Swope. Originally “adventure” was the starting point to the army for Swope, who has been thinking about this since he was a kid, but he only “seriously” started to consider it in September.

The military has “always been in the back of my mind,” said Torgerson. His goals to learn in the army are “discipline and the core army values”. His choice military job will do with conducting airstrikes, which “doesn’t have much civilian crossover” in terms of civilian jobs, so it is “highly likely” that he will be re-enlisting, said Torgerson.

The army could be an option for anyone; contracts can range in terms of length, and can pay for college if need be. Students can also apply to ROTC programs and become officers when they graduate, sometimes debt free if they apply for scholarships. For anyone thinking about enlisting, contact a recruiter. We, at the CavChron, thank Swope and Torgerson for their further service and wish them luck in their endeavors.