High school life is coming to a close and students need to start thinking what they want to do with their lives. One student has already made those plans and her journey will begin July 13th as she will begin her life in the military. “I will be in Great Lakes Illinois for boot camp and then I will travel to an air force base in Texas,” Mackenzie Smith ’16 said. Mackenzie has always been interested in the military and always thought that it would be a good choice for her career. “The military brings great opportunities, they help pay for college, and I want to see the world and I thought that the navy would be the best way to do it,” Smith shared.
Mackenzie is a member of the JROTC classes and it gives her a taste of what the military will bring and how it will effect her. “It has helped me learn drill movements and uniform inspections which will help me succeed when I actually go into boot camp,” Smith said.
Family played a large role in supporting Mackenzie in her career choice. “My parents are nervous about me leaving but in general they are very proud of me,” Smith shared. Mackenzie got inspired by family member’s who actually serve for the United States of America. “My great uncle Walter was a retired veteran so that brought the military to my mind, and my sister Taylor and I always talked about joining the military and that made my decision official,” Smith shared.
The enlistment process can be long and stressful but Mackenzie didn’t care, she had her mind set on being a part of the military and she wouldn’t let anything get in her way. “To enlist you need to talk to a recruiter, and that includes a lot of paperwork and a background check. Then you have to take the ASVAB test so they can determine what jobs you can have,” Smith said. The enlistment doesn’t stop there. “The day of your processing and signing you stay the night at the lodging facility and get medical testing’s and then you are sent to a projection room to say your oath and then it is all done. It is a long process but it is all worth it,” Smith shared.
Mackenzie has gotten her job and she can’t wait to begin. “I am going to be a utilitiesman,” Smith said. A utilitiesman job description includes plumbing, heating, compressed air, fuel storage, and water treatment. She will maintain systems and make sure they are working correctly at all times.
Mackenzie is nervous and excited about joining the military but she is prepared for anything that comes along during this journey. “I am really excited to meet new people that have the same interests as I do,” Smith shared. “I am also very nervous that I will be leaving my family and the place that I grew up but I am ready for whatever life brings me,” Smith said.
Mackenzie has already thought ten steps ahead and already has a plan if the military doesn’t work out. “I really want this to work out but if it doesn’t I will use the education that they provide and get a degree in teaching or in business,” Smith shared.
Life can bring many curve balls and Mackenzie knows this. “I am focusing on my life right now but I always have a backup plan, and I know that whatever path I choose will be the right one and it will just take time,” Smith stated. “I am ready for whatever life brings me and I will hit it out of the park,” Smith shared.
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