Drawn to the long-term benefits of receiving a college education while training for the military, senior Max Hu will pursue the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, which trains students to become commissioned officers in the armed forces while earning a degree. Hu will attend the University of Washington, where he will major in political science.

Although he first became interested in joining the armed forces as a kid, Hu said he did not take it seriously until high school, when he joined the Sea Cadets, a United States youth naval program focused on leadership development and community service.

“A lot of the volunteers were officers in the military, that really exposed me to that life,” Hu said. “And during the winter and summer breaks, I was able to go to military bases for more formal training.”

Hu said he hopes the experience will teach him responsibility, a necessary skill when leading a platoon of 30 to 40 people.

“At the end of the day, you’re gonna really improve as a person and also become a more philosophical person,” Hu said.

For senior Nicholas Saldana, the high standards of the Marines and the opportunity for financial stability motivated him to enlist directly after high school.

“When I was looking at the Marine Corps and other branches, I was understanding that some branches would lower their overall standards to make their quotas for enlistments, but the Marine Corps would always be very strict about it. And even if you need a waiver for anything, they’re very strict about it,” Saldana said.

Saldana said he looks forward to his first year as a Marine and appreciates that the Marine Corps covers housing and medical expenses.

“And with that, it’s very easy to invest and scale up your investment strategies, so you can prepare yourself for your future,” Saldana said.

Saldana also said he wants to learn to be a good leader, along with becoming more disciplined.

“I like to think of myself as a follower before I’m a leader,” Saldana said. “And then from there, just try and see how it would be for me, how would I be the best leader, and how could I be the best disciplined individual.”

Senior Tyler Crawford will pursue the ROTC program at the University of California, Berkeley while majoring in economics. He said the program is a strong fit for his determined personality.

“I love to be pushed physically and mentally, past standards,” Crawford said. “And I just think I have kind of a disciplinary mindset, and I just love to train my body and stay in shape.”

Before leaving for college, Crawford said he is attending a three-week New Student Indoctrination this summer.

“I’ll definitely get pushed physically, mentally, get yelled at, and I’ll have to maintain my composure with a lot of the stressors,” Crawford said.

For Crawford, one challenge will be balancing academic rigor with his commitment to the ROTC program, but he said he looks forward to building a strong brotherhood with his peers.

“I’m excited to meet these people and group myself with like-minded individuals who are all going for a common goal that better ourselves,” Crawford said.

Senior Pollyanne Quilliam will enlist in the Navy after high school, continuing a family tradition and embracing an opportunity to begin her career in a new environment.

“I wanted to travel after high school, and I think the Navy can definitely make that work for you,” Quilliam said. “I also thought I wanted to leave the Bay Area, because I call it a Bay Area bubble.”

Quilliam said boot camp will require her to become “comfortable with the uncomfortable.” According to Quilliam, one concern is her history of injuries, which could limit her participation in camp.

“I was one of those kids who would always be in the nurse’s office over something new every day,” Quilliam said. “When they’re looking at your medical history, they can disqualify you for certain things.”

Quilliam said she is excited about finding out where she will be stationed.

“We have a bunch of options within the U.S. and also overseas,” Quilliam said. “I’ve made my wish list, and number one, I would want to go to Washington.”