By Randee Schmitt

Senior Oscar Hoskins runs two miles every morning, five miles on the weekends, and completes other forms of physical training in preparation to enter the Marines after high school. He was also a member of ROTC for three years until he moved to San Antonio in the middle of his senior year.

With more than 154,000 troops, what is it that convinces people to enlist into the Marines? Aside from being paid well, Marines receive numerous health care and lifestyle benefits. It’s no wonder many students are eager to finish high school and begin training.

“My brother was killed in active duty and my grandfather was also a Marine,” Hoskins said. “It’s in my blood. I love the comradery, and I look good in the uniform.”

Aside from following in the footsteps of family members, other students focus on the social skills and life lessons being a Marine teaches.

“[The Marines] teaches you how to manage time because it’s based off of leadership and discipline and learning to balance all your responsibilities,” ROTC member Brandon Tenney said. “It also teaches you valuable social skills. If you’re placed in a leadership position then you’re in charge of the people under you, and you can’t let them down. You learn to be a strong leader.”

Eager to enlist, Hoskins – like many other students choosing to enter the military – still weighs his options about college. The military will help members with tuition and funding, and those that have a college degree before enlisting become an officer after passing a test.

“The amount of time you put into school and training is equal to your rank and how quickly you rank up,” Tenney said. “I plan to go into the military after college.”

Whatever their decision may be, the Marines’ motto “Semper Fi” still holds true, even to those who are not yet enlisted. Translating to “Always Faithful”, Marines train before they even enter the official training camp, and do not rest until the job is done.

“ROTC is like a second home, and it’s preparing me for the Marines because that will become my home once I enlist,” Tenney said. “I spend more time [in ROTC] than at home, but it’s what I want to do.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.