Two weeks ago, Veteran’s Day passed as it annually does, but for some individuals, everyday is one of acknowledgment and celebration of those who served or continue to serve in the United States’ armed forces. Although the holiday itself is over, the military presence and recognition at Chesterton High School has yet to cease. Several staff members can say with pride that they are veterans themselves, and often during the lunch periods, current members of different branches will set up a table of information for curious students and possible recruitments. Although the United States is not actively involved in any armed conflict, the need for soldiers never seems to cease, and students at or approaching the age of 18 are coming close to their time of indoctrination into the military if that is the path they choose. Nowadays, it is not many peoples’ first choice. Between the infamous danger, intensity, and strictness, the armed forces do not harbor the most desirable perks, especially to a high school student with so much life and opportunity ahead of them. However, there are reasons that being a veteran is one of the most honorable titles to hold, and these pros are much more weighted than the cons created by mere human fear.
Peace has been the decided precedent in the United States for some years now. After the end of Operation Enduring Freedom nearly a decade ago to date, there has been no war for American citizens to go off and die in. Despite this fortunate peace, the military continues to make moves day and night, including peacekeeping within the country, humanitarian aid, law enforcement, and basic training. Although most people would choose a little bit of basic training over a major international conflict, the training done in military boot camps is not your average workout routine. To become an active service member, perfect physical fitness is required; military training takes its pupils above and beyond the “fit” status. Basic military training consists of a dozen weeks (give or take) of mentally and physically demanding activities that ultimately shape recruits into better, wholly-rounded individuals. Strength and stamina is tested as plebes fight through the grueling duration of the camp, but statistics report that over 90% of recruits see it through to the end and earn their service member status. If ever there was a test designed for students to pass, it is this one, so long as they do as they’re told. Discipline is famously of utmost importance in any military community, which is a repellent factor for contemplative enlistees. That, and the other strict and sensible characteristics of the kind of people the military shapes and produces, but according to many veterans, there is no better place to learn that kind of life skill.
James Sensibaugh, an Army veteran and teacher at Chesterton High School, served for seven years and gives an overall positive report on his seven year service period.
“I wanted to do my part,” says Sensibaugh, reporting that being a part of the Army was sort of a tradition in his family.
Sensibaugh worked several jobs over the course of his military career, including one that dealt with schematics, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment, and another in the infantry. The infantry is a branch of the Army that does what most people imagine they will have to do if they join the military: they close in on the enemy. Even after his time as a foot soldier, Mr. Sensibaugh holds to his claim that if he were to repeat his life, he would join the Army again.
“As both a teacher and a coach,” he begins, “some of the most important life lessons that I personally learned that then instructed and informed the way that I taught and coached, I learned in the Army.”
There it is, confirmed before our very eyes: there is life after service. Not all veterans return from the military much too disturbed to further fulfill themselves. Some return and revel in the insurance benefits that come with being a veteran, some go back to school and find a lifelong career, some settle down and raise a family. James Sensibaugh and all the other veterans on the Chesterton High School staff are proof that you can do all of it, even after the infantry. Before, during, and after service, the possibilities are endless for what one can make of their time in the military, and what they can make of themselves. Although not many young people are dying to serve America in its current state, the honor of a military career is not yet stripped from it, for there is just as much nobility in doing it to better yourself.
Even yet, there is still one more exciting thing about being in the military: government secrets. When asked if he knew any, Sensibaugh confirmed that he knew of a few, but could only share more detailed information with those privy to the same NDA. He also might be an alien.
“I might be,” said Sensibaugh when directly asked if he was an extraterrestrial.
Join the military to uncover this and the many other government conspiracies that Mr. Sensibaugh and the United States government are omitting.
Thank you to all the veterans at Chesterton High School, as well as all of those worldwide, for protecting us citizens without request and for bringing back the knowledge that you gained doing so. Happy Belated Veterans Day.
