Life after high school provides an array of possibilities. For most students, graduating high school means either college, or entrance into the work field. But there is something more. For men like Sergeant Scott Tulley, Staff Sergeant Eli Henderson, and Sergeant First Class Marcus Crossland, there was the U.S. Army.
From time to time, you may have seen tables set up in the gym lobby with members from the armed services speaking to students about joining. “I couldn’t afford college before, and now I can,” Sgt. Tulley said, who was able to pay for college through his career in the Army; a comforting notion for those unwilling to sacrifice a college degree for a career.
Yet college wasn’t the only enticement that lead to Sgt. Tulley’s committment.
“What made me want to join the Army was the job security, and the ability to rise through the ranks,” he said. No matter what the economic conditions, the military will always have available positions, and better yet, positions that promise mobility. It is here that both men and women can begin as a private, and work his/her merit towards, lets say, even a Sergeant.
As seniors, there are plenty of us who are unsure of their educational or career paths. Just ask Sfc. Marcus Crossland who was in the same position after graduating high school.
“I was supposed to join [after graduation], but decided to take a job as a sheriff,” he said.
Instead, Sfc. Crossland decided to join the military at the age of 23, and worked his way up to his title of Sergeant First Class today.
His story is just one example of how life after high school can venture into any one of multiple facets that all stem from our personal choices, and the Army is one path that can be applicable at any age.
And maybe you’re the adventure seeking student like Staff Sergeant Eli Henderson. For someone who enjoyed travelling for a major portion of his life, the Army provided the perfect opportunity to suit his interests.
“For me, many of my relatives had been involved in the military [patriotic],” he said, in reference to maintaining a career choice tradition within his family.
A patriot himself, Ssg. Henderson not only completed his rotations, but is now trained in equal opportunity leadership. This means he, along with Sgt. Tulley, and Sfc. Crossland are able to participate in volunteer work, mentoring, and for Ssg. Henderson personally, devising prevention plans for corporations involving racism, prejudice, sexual assault, and substance abuse.
The future may seem hazy; after all, we’re only just beginning our journeys. The opportunities are vast: job security, mobility, an affordable college education, and even travelling are only some of the benefits that Sgt. Tulley, Ssg. Henderson, and Sfc. Crossland exemplify. So, whether you’re plans after graduation include college or a career, the Army is one path that makes both aspects feasible.
For more information visit www.goarmy.com, or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.