On average Hastings High has about fifteen students enroll in the military each year. Each and every one of these students has the mindset of wanting to give back to their country. Many of them are inspired by parents or relatives that have served.
Senior Codey Bender plans on joining the Marines next year. He is hoping that he gets a meteorology position. Since only 300 of about 300,000 recruits get this position, he would like to try the supply crew. This job would have him working on planes, helping load and reload.
“Before becoming a Marine I have to go through a very intense boot camp and extensive training. Then hike up a small mountain and I will officially be a Marine,” Bender said.
“I am especially looking forward to graduation into the Marines so my family can see what I have truly accomplished,” Bender said.
Senior Zach Evans is considering going into the Air-force. He says he was inspired by his grandfather who was a Marine and quite a few of his dad’s friends that had served in the military. He has won a type 7 ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) scholarship which guarantees him a full ride to any four year college in state.
“I could attend a four year college that is on par with an Ivy League school for free!” Evans said.  “It’s a pretty tough decision between accepting the prestige of an academy (accompanied by a grueling 24/7 military schedule and only around 6 weeks of break, including summers) or the normal college life I would have at UNL or UNO with my ROTC scholarship,” Evans said.
There are many tough decisions that come with going into the military. Some people are all for it and others don’t want to have anything to do with the military. That is why people like these truly protect and make an  impact for our country.
