Men in the military share why they chose to enlist.
Javi Cox is a senior executive officer and cadet major.
He didn’t know his mother was in the military until his senior year of high school. Cox didn’t believe her at first and called her bluff. So, his mother took him to see a recruiter, and he decided to apply. shocked his mother.
She was in the United States Army Reserve and went to Jackson State University and did Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) there. She got her commission and through some “magical process” she came to Indiana for a duty station. She met his father when she was a lieutenant.
After having a family, she was promoted to captain. She was about to transition out of the military when Javi was young. She opted to stay with her family.
Initially, Javi was happy in the military, but he still felt a twinge of sadness. He had broke his promise to his mom to not join the infantry. But to his surprise, his mother was so proud of him after he graduated. Javi later went on to join the ROTC.
Logan Hatchel is a senior professional sales major
Logan’s grandfather, Larry Harshman, was in the National Guard. His Uncle John was drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. His uncle went overseas for two tours. Today, his uncle, doesn’t talk about his time in the jungle in Vietnam. But that didn’t discourage Logan.
He decided to join the U.S. Army after seeing his friends show an interest to enlist. Logan found the ROTC and was intrigued by their benefits. It helped pay his tuition and prepared him to possibly join law enforcement one day.
When Logan joined the military, his family members were a little nervous. But it didn’t last long.
“They were with me every step of the way,” he says.
After graduation, his unit will go to Japan in August. Logan will soon be taking oath to transition from Cadet to Second Lieutenant on May 4.
Adam Davis decided to join the army when he was a 17-year-old in high school. Many of his friends were joining the army, and he soon became convinced. He’s been in the army for the past five years.
Adam Davis decided to join the army when he was a 17-year-old in high school. Many of his friends were joining the army, and he soon became convinced. He’s been in the army for the past five years.
Adam’s father, a military man himself, thought Adam enlisting was a smart move. After his father first applied to join the military, he lived in Germany for four years. He then spent some time in the National Guard in Indiana. Adam liked that his father was able to travel while getting an education. “He made a lot of friends by doing this,” Adam says.
So, Adam followed his footsteps.
