Entering the military is one of the many diverse opportunities that a young man or woman may pursue after high school, and many students across the country, including BHS seniors Cayden Blake and Justin Kempenar, see the military as the opportunity that best fits their goals.

Blake will be going to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, when he graduates. Blake’s desire to pursue entering the military was inspired by his father, who was a Marine, and his brother Cole, who is currently in the Marines and also a BHS graduate.

Blake is excited for this opportunity and said that his long-term goal is to become a police officer.

Kempenar will be going to the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Although his long-term plans are as of yet undecided, Kempenar also is ecstatic to pursue this goal.

“I am beyond excited about going to experience all the military has to offer,” he said. “There are two ways that this could take me: I could stay in the Air Force for 21 years and retire or if I don’t enjoy the military as much as I think I will, I can take my experience and use it outside the military.”

BHS counselor Autumn Weiss, whose son is a lance corporal in the Marines, says that the military is a good option that creates diverse opportunities for many different kinds of students.

“I think the military can be a wonderful option for the right kid,” Weiss said. “There are many careers in the military. It’s not just infantry.”

Weiss encourages any who are interested in the military to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which is a test offered at BHS.

“It is a test that we use for career exploration based on your aptitude,” Weiss said. “We offer the test once a year, every year at BHS. If you do enter the military you will have to take the test again but by taking it at BHS it will give you a good idea of your score in the different areas it covers. The military uses the same test and will use your score to assign you an MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), which will be the job that you have while you are in the military.”

Weiss also encourages students who may be interested in the military to stay in close contact with a recruiter.

“It is also important to have a good relationship with a recruiter,” she said. “Ask them lots of questions, introduce them to your parents, and let them ask lots of questions.”