About 38,000 people enlist in the Marine Corps each year, according to The Balance Careers and senior Brad Beaufait makes up one of them.
“I want to serve my country. I have a lot of family in the military and I was following in their footsteps,” Beaufait said.
His step-father served in the Army for 10 years and his grandfather served in the Army Reserve for six years. Beaufait enlisted in the Marines on July 26, 2019.
“It was the proudest and scariest day of my life so far. While I could not be more proud of my son for serving our country, I’m also very scared. With the military, no matter what branch you join, there comes a risk that could cost you your life,” mother Christine Van Woert said.
Since eighth grade, Beaufait wanted to join the military and plans to make a career out of the military.
“The only thing that impacted his decision was figuring out what branch of military offered him what he was looking for long-term,” Van Woert said.
Beaufait was looking for a branch that would offer him a skill or trade that could be used in civilian life.
Two or three weeks after Beaufait decided he wanted to enlist, he took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test that pre-qualifies people for the military and swore into the Marines. Beaufait’s family and friends support his choice to enlist in the military since he first began to discuss it.
“I think [him enlisting] was a good choice. We’ve been friends since the fourth grade; I know I’m going to miss him,” senior Malachi Ahlgren said.
Beaufait graduates in June 2020 and a couple days after his graduation ceremony, he leaves for Paris Island, South Carolina for boot camp.
Boot camp for the Marine Corps generally lasts 13 weeks, which includes around 70 training days, according to Marine Boot Camp HQ. After these 13 weeks, he will be shipped to another location to train for his future position. He is hoping to become a firefighter or join Reconnaissance.
“I’m trying not to focus on him leaving,” Van Woert said, “But focusing on him grow as a young man.”