“I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
Most Americans will never speak those words, which are a part of the United States Armed Forces Oath of Enlistment. But to a small number of LSE students, students across Nebraska and the nation, that oath represents a promise, one they plan to take before most of their peers have even picked a college major. Their motivations vary, as some seek education and structure, others look for purpose and pride.
For social studies teacher and Navy veteran Jesse Reynolds, his path to service began with some uncertainty and a recruiter’s well-timed pitch.
“I hadn’t thought that I was going to do the military, [but] one thing led to another, and I ended up staying in for 20 years.”
Reynolds was 18-years-old when he enlisted. He was attending college at UNL and was “struggling”. He was not really going to class and was taking out student loans. Eventually the navy recruiter reached out with an opportunity.
“He told me, ‘Hey, if you quit school now, do the Navy for four years. [T]he Navy will pay for you to get a college degree’,” Reynolds said. “But he did have to sell me on the idea.”
The navy recruiter had also shown Reynolds a map of some of his travels from Australia to the Philippines.
“While I’m earning this college money, I can be seeing all these cool places around the world. That [sounded] like a pretty good deal,” Reynolds said.
With that deal came a lot of other benefits, which may be some of the reasons LSE students will join the military. Military jobs are somewhat like their civilian counterparts . When you rise in rank you rise in pay, there is job security, retirement benefits, time off. In addition there is also schooling (that can be transferred to other institutions like college credit transferring) and you will be paid not only for the schooling you do for the military for your job (which can range from Security Forces to Dental Assistants) but you will get money to attend a secondly edition of your choosing (money to pay for the school and additionally money just for going). This is according to the Navy’s and Air force’s official pages and information from the Air National Guard. In addition, soft skills will be trained as well.
“I do think there could be benefits: discipline, changing your mindset and understanding how you can support working with the team, there’s so many elements of teamwork that you learn at boot camp that you can apply to every other job for the rest of your life.” Reynolds said
While veterans like Reynolds can reflect on the lessons learned during service, some students are already beginning their own version of that journey.
LSE Freshman Mia Olsen, a member of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) which is held at Lincoln Northeast, is one of them. She describes the program as an introduction to military training that gives students a better idea of what life in the armed forces might be like.
“There is very much both leadership and social development in this program,” Olsen said.
In JROTC, Olsen says there are plenty of opportunities to explore leadership roles and ways to help people, something she is very interested in.“Being able to help others is a big part of what I want to be able to do,” Olsen said.
That motivation drives her long-term goal of joining the Air Force and training to become a combat medic or military doctor. Olsen sees the program as the foundation for the discipline, teamwork, and compassion she’ll need to serve both her country and those in need.
Although Olsen enjoys her time in the ROTC and Reynolds valued his time as a sailor in the Navy Military member are asked to carry a heavy burden.
“I was not there when my youngest daughter was born. I missed her birth,” Reynolds said. “I’ve missed several Christmases [and] birthdays.” For deployed personnel, the burdens follow them far from home.
“We’re talking a crew of 350 sailors with 800 Marines. [The Marines] don’t have a job to do. They’re just getting a ride. [O]n a six month employment in the middle of the ocean, you got 800 board Marines on the ship. It can be a little tiring. You kind of give them grief, they give you grief,” Reynolds said
Military life can mean long stretches away from home. Basic training alone can last eight or more weeks, followed by almost immediately months of specialized schooling depending on the job you select. Service members also take on a wide range of responsibilities, from responding to global military threats, extensive physical and mental training, to assisting with domestic crises such as protests, terrorism, or natural disasters.
Despite the challenges, LSE students such as Olsen and veterans such as Reynolds, believe those who choose to serve will find purpose and pride and rewards the out way the cost.
“I’m always happy to share my stories with anybody that will ask because I think the military is a great thing. But if you go into it with the wrong idea, it can be a horrible thing. So the more open-minded, [and] the more knowledge you can have when you enlist, the better chance of being successful,” Reynolds said.
