Some join for the thrill. Some join for a sense of unity. Some join for the paycheck.
The percentage of young people who said they would probably join the military increased from 9 percent to 11 percent in the first half of 2008, according to a Pentagon-sponsored survey. The poll questioned 3,304 young people ages 16 to 21.
While some link the sagging economy and soft job market as the reason for the increase, two recent area graduates say otherwise.
In 2006, Derek James and Jarred Gillett joined the United States military after graduating from Goodrich High School.
‘My uncle and grandpa were in the Army, so I wanted to keep the tradition going,? said Gillett, a 20-year-old sergeant who is currently stationed in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Sgt. Gillett said he joined with the intention of protecting his friends and family.
‘They don’t have to see or do what I have to do every day,? he said.
While the Army called Gillett, it was the Marine Corps that presented the challenge James was looking for. The lance corporal is currently stationed in Newburgh, New York, working on a KC-130 aircraft.
‘It’s been the experience of a lifetime so far,? he said. ‘I mean, come on, I work on a multi-million dollar aircraft, and I’m only 21.?
Despite the excitement of aircrafts and seeing the world, Lance Cpl. James has had his share of troubles in the military.
‘I suffered an injury three weeks into boot camp and ended up staying eight weeks longer than I was supposed to,? he said.
Both Sgt. Gillett and Lance Cpl. James said they would be happy to recruit high school graduates into their branches of the military.
‘As long as they were doing it for the country and not a paycheck,? Gillett said.
The servicemen said they have been changed by the military, in both stature and the way they see the world. In their eyes, Independence Day is not just about fireworks.
‘It should make us think of those who have fallen in order for us to live like we do today,? Lance Cpl. James said.