Although most CHS students go down the college path after their graduation, some students instead have chosen to enlist in the military. (Mimi Lu)

College counselor Carolyn Blair cites Clayton’s college-prep reputation as a big factor in CHS’s low military interest.

“We tend to attract families that are quite interested in CHS as a college preparatory school,” Blair said. “I think a lot of families choose Clayton School District for that reason. While this is not the best option for every kid, we have a lot of parents who at least start out thinking that this is their child’s trajectory.”

Senior Victoria Griffin’s family initially wanted her to take a more traditional college route, and she says her decision to join the Marines has caused tension.

Joining the military, however, does not necessarily mean giving up a college education. From ROTC to online courses, there are viable ways for soldiers to afford and schedule tome to go to college. Griffin, who has already enrolled in the Marines, plans to earn her sociology and social work degree from the American Military University, an entirely online college dedicated to soldiers.

“They know you’re in the military so they work around your work schedule,” Griffin said.

However, though entering ROTC in college often leads to scholarship opportunities, Clayton students tend to find their college options reduced by the limited number of ROTC programs available, according to Blair.

“We have some interested in ROTC for the college scholarship, but often the restrictions on which college the student can attend has been an issue with students who have been interested in the past,” Blair said.

The military also offers job security. Once enlisted, new recruits are guaranteed a job after boot camp. First, however, they have to contract. In St. Louis, this process happens at the Military Entrance Processing Station downtown.

“Contracting is horrible,” Griffin said. “It consists of going to stay at a hotel downtown where all the other people from your area go to contract from all the different branches. You wake up at five and get bussed down to the fed building to take a whole bunch of different tests. They take your height, weight, test for drugs and alcohol, give you a whole physical, do background checks, and take your fingerprints.”

Potential recruits also must pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which Clayton does not offer, although interested students can arrange to take the test at another area high school. The test is multiple-choice and determines what positions applicants may receive.

Griffin chose to enlist in the Marine core as opposed to another military branch because of the sense of family fostered there.

“Something I’ve noticed about marine core recruiters is that unlike other branches, they keep in contact a lot,” Griffin said. “It’s really a sense of family. They try to keep in touch with everyone they get in contact with. It’s because it’s the smallest branch. I guess they figure if you’re nice to everybody and get along with everybody.”

Despite concerns from family and some teasing for being the only girl at her weekly Marine meet-ups, Griffin is satisfied with her decision to join the Marines.

“I’ve always been kind of intrigued by the military lifestyle,” Griffin said. “It’s always been something I’ve been drawn to. I considered all my different options. When it came down to it, it was what made me happy.”

According to Sgt. Andrew Haagan, a military recruiter for high school students in the St. Louis Area, 70 percent of military recruitees come straight out of high school.

Sophomore Albert Howard, who hopes to join the military after high school, said that the things that interest him in the military are, “discipline, money for college, and a place for me to go if things don’t work out.” He believes the military provides many opportunities to its enlistees.

Sophomore Freddy Barnes also aspires to join the military.

Barnes wants to go to Annapolis after high school and then complete his five years of service.

Barnes feels that by joining the military, he can gain the personality that he values so much in military men and women.

“I see the military as a way to achieve a personality of discipline and to be driven,” Barnes said.

“Most people who join the military find friendships that last the rest of their lives,” Haagan said. “It is one of the best places to learn camaraderie and friendship. When you are out in the middle of nowhere, you only have yourself and your buddies.”

However, as of right now, the military has a surplus of men and women.

According to an article in The Washington Post, the Pentagon cites the rise in unemployment and bonuses for the reason that hundreds of thousands of citizens have enlisted.

“As of about a year and a half ago, [the military] lowered its standards, so eventually it has had to raise the standards in the last six months because it doesn’t need so many enlistees,” Haagan said.

“I have family members who are in the military,” said Howard. “I saw it as an option rather than college, since it could provide me a job and money.”

Howard said that one of his military heroes is a relative serving in the Middle East who saved a platoon from a roadside bomb.

“It shows that I am willing to put my life on the line for America,” Howard said. “It also shows that I want to do something with my life.”

Although Barnes always found the military interesting, it was not until a couple of years ago that he decided he wanted to join the military.

Barnes says that for several years he spent a lot of time at the St. Louis Country Fair and Country Show since his dad flies recreationally. Over those years, the military appeal to him developed.

“I spent a lot of time with the military pilots. I saw their driven personality and this made me want to do it also,” said Barnes

Howard is now getting ready for the military.

“I am mentally trying to keep my grades so I can show that I am willing to work,” Howard said. “I do a lot of push-ups and sit-ups before I go to bed. I am lifting weights to get physically strong.”

Barnes is also starting to work towards his future in the military.

“I am working physically by working out a lot and getting my body in shape,” Barnes said. “I am following the courses that anyone would need to get into college. I am trying to get good grades and good test scores. I am aiming high. I am also looking to political sponsorships and getting letter recommendations from federal Congress members.

Barnes says that he is not trying to prove anything by joining the military.

“It is about serving the country, and for the people who serve beside me,” Barnes said. “I would do the job for free because it is not about the money.”

The military provides for many discipline, and the ability to pursue education after high school. It also gives people a broad perspective of the world, introducing to them places that they could not have traveled to before.

“Where can you go to serve your country, get college benefits, experience, and get everything all paid for at the same time?” Haagan said.

Although not all hear the call of the military, those who do are passionate about their decision.