Thank you for your (future) service

By Nori Quist, Staff Writer

There are many different options for further education and careers for students after they graduate. One of these options is to enlist in the military or a service academy, like the National Guard or the United States Coast Guard Academy. These three Samo students are a few of many who have committed to serving the United States next year.

Ana Hanson

Ana Hanson (’22) is applying to go in person to the United States Coast Guard Academy (CGA)’s summer program, Academy Introduction Mission (AIM), this year, and plans to attend the Coast Guard Academy after she graduates. She made this decision because she loves the ocean and wants to help people explore it.

“I wanted to go to the CGA because I believe in the Coast Guard and what they do to protect our oceans and everyone who is able to experience it...From ocean rescues to search and rescue to upholding maritime law, the Coast Guard is helping people and I want to be a part of that. I also really like boats,” Hanson said.

If Hanson attends the CGA, she will be required to serve in the Coast Guard for five years afterward, which she says she doesn’t mind. Once the five years are up, her ultimate goal is to get a pilot’s license and fly rescue helicopters.

While Hanson is at the CGA, she plans to major in marine and ocean sciences. She says the academy has a strong STEM focus, which fits well with her interests. Hanson participates in Project Lead the Way (PLTW), an engineering program at Samo, and is on the robotics team. She is also on Samo’s swim team and plans to be on the CGA swim team as well. 

With a love for the ocean, engineering, and swimming, Hanson should do well at the CGA. For more information about the United States Coast Guard, go to uscga.edu.

Bryant Shropshire

Bryant Shropshire (’21) is enlisted in the Air National Guard and will be doing Basic Training after graduation. Like many who enlist in it, Shropshire joined the Air National Guard because he wanted to attend college while still being in the military.

“I joined the National Guard because my uncle was in the military for over 30 years and I look up to him but I still wanted to go to college,” Shropshire said. 

While in the Guard, he will be deployed to address national issues such as firefighting, civil unrest and COVID-19 services like running food banks. If he is deployed out of the country, Shropshire says he’s not afraid because his job, Aircrew Flight Equipment, will keep him on the bases and off the field, which is a lower-risk situation.

Shropshire plans to go to USC, UCLA or UCSB for college. After that, he is unsure of his exact plans, but says he may want to enlist in the United States Air Force, which being in the Air National Guard gives him the option to do. If he does join the United States Airforce, Shropshire wants to go into intelligence, drone piloting or aircraft piloting.

Whatever Shropshire decides to do with his life, the Air National Guard gives him the unique opportunity to do it while serving his country. For more information on the Air National Guard, visit goang.com.

Andres Wladich

Andres Wladich (’21) is enlisting in the United States Marine Corps and will be doing Recruit Training after he graduates. Wladich decided to join the Marine Corps because he wanted to serve the country before starting a different career. Despite COVID-19 concerns, Wladich will be training in person with the Marine Corps as soon as he can.

“It will be all in person starting with boot camp and wherever I get deployed. Can’t really train someone to be a U.S. Marine over a computer screen. Wouldn’t really be the best training,” Wladich said.

Wladich wants to be a firefighter or pursue a career in business after he finishes serving in the Marine Corps. He says he is most likely to serve in the Marines for as long as his contract allows, and then go on to be a firefighter. While in the Marines, Wladich says that he’s not too afraid of being deployed.

“I don’t believe they’d have me serve since I really don’t see any big events coming up but if they did then it is what it is. I’ll be ready,” Wladich said.

From fighting for the country to fighting fires, Wladich is prepared to put himself in harm’s way for the good of others. For more information about the United States Marine Corps, go to marines.mil.