Students share their reasons for joining the military and their motivations for risking everything

Tim Skarin:

“I am joining the Marine Corps. because I believe that the Marines will give me the best training,” said Senior Tim Skarin, “and my father is also a Marine.”

When asked how long he is planning on staying in the military for, he said, “As of right now I am enlisted for a total of eight years, six active and two reserve. After that is done I will decide if I want to stay in depending on if I enjoy it or not.”

Tim is currently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps under the Military Occupational Specialty of Crash, Fire, and Rescue. Crash, Fire, and Rescue consists of being part of the Marine Corps’ fire department and rescuing Marines involved in a crash. Tim’s favorite quotes that pertain to the military are “Pain is weakness leaving the body” from General Lewis B “Chesty” Puller and also “Freedom is not free,” from General  Douglas MacArthur

Gunner Schwanke:

“Why do I want to join the marines?” asks Junior Gunner Schwanke “Because it is the toughest branch in the world, and I want to be a part of it”

When asked if he supports war, or if he is against it, he responded “I do not like the fact that there is war, don’t get me wrong … but right now, it seems like it is inevitable because it seems like it is the only way to get things done now.”

Gunner is not yet enlisted because he is only sixteen years old and the law states that he must be seventeen until he swears in, but he plans to go down to MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) as soon as he can. He is also hoping to get an infantry job in the Marine Corps. because he “thinks it sounds like the most fun.”

His favorite quote is, “Only the dead have seen the end of war” from George Santayana.

Nikki Bonin:

Nikki Bonin is a Junior at Buffalo High School who wants to join the Marine Corps or the US Navy.

“I want to be part of something way bigger then myself and also because my brother is a Marine,” Bonin said.

Nikki is not yet sure what branch she wants to join. She wants to join the Marine Corps because “it is the toughest branch out there” and because of her brother, but on the other hand she also wants to join the Navy because would like to become a nurse and they have a better nursing program.

Her brother is not so keen to the idea of her joining the military because he is protective of his baby sister, but he said if she does end up joining she knows that he will be very proud.
Nikki’s Favorite quote is from Psalms 23: “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”