“I, (LAST NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

With becoming an adult comes the time to decide what you want to do with yourself, what you want to do for yourself, or what you can do for your country. For many, that decision is college. But, for the brave, the motivated, and the proud, the military is what they have chosen. These proud and brave few Pattonville students have chosen to defend America and its assets with whatever it takes, “against all enemies, foreign or domestic.”

Senior Gisele Hinojosa plans on becoming a soldier in the United States Army. She, like a few other Pattonville students, have already taken the oath and enlisted into the military.

“I think the military is a great way to get a new start,” Hinojosa said. “There, you build friendships that will last forever and learn skills that set you up for the rest of your life.”

The journey of becoming a member of the United States Armed Forces begins the moment you talk to a recruiter. Be it the Marines, Army, Navy, or Air Force, it all starts when you step into the recruiter’s office.

Recruiter Staff Sergeant Cox of the United States Marine Corps is one of the many recruiters you are able to speak with if joining the military peaks your interest.

“My job is to recruit kids that have motivation to do something great and set them up with what it takes to become a Marine,” Cox said. “My job is not to sugar-coat what the Marine Corps is. I tell them straight up what it’s all about.”

After talking to a recruiter and proceeding with the steps necessary with joining the military like going through MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and filling out tons of paperwork, you will be in something that is called the DEP (Delayed Entry Program) if you are still in high school.

Senior Sanud Alvi, a future Recon Marine for the Marine Corps, has joined arms and is currently enlisted in the DEP.

“The Delayed Entry Program is tough,” Alvi said. “We meet every Thursday at the recruiter’s office and train with real Marines and get slayed. We also meet one Saturday of every month with other recruiting stations from the St. Louis area and go on a hike.”

Senior Dylan Alicea has plans on becoming an aviation mechanic for the United States Marines Corps.

“I do this for my country, my family, my friends, and everything and everyone that I hold dear to my heart,” Alicea said. “I want to be a part of something that is greater than myself. I want to be a part of the most elite fighting force known to man. I want to be a United States Marine.”