Joining the military is an aspiration that not many Americans decide to challenge themselves to in their lives, especially right out of high school. For Cabrini College junior Charlie Paris, it took him starting college to take the step and join the Army.
“My grandfather served in the Army during Vietnam and also my roommate my freshman year was in the Army and he quickly became my best friend,” Paris said.
One of the thousand young men and women across the country who have chosen to enlist, Paris joined the combat MOS 19D cavalry scout.
In charge of being the eyes and ears of the commander in battle the cavalry scout tracks enemies on the field, reports their activity and directs the weapons to their locations. Being a cavalry scout would keep Paris on his toes, which is what he needed after the boredom of school.
Prices of schools rising is always on the minds of students but it didn’t seem to make a difference to Paris.
“Money did not influence my decision to join at all. I really just wanted to know what it was like and also I was somewhat bored with my classes so I wanted to see something different,” said Paris.
Joining the Army brings education benefits, which many who join take advantage of. They can earn full-tuition and merit-based scholarships as well as having their book and fees paid for.
Benefits aren’t what Paris was looking for unlike fellow troop members from training camp.
“We don’t get that many benefits. That really only pertains to state schools,” said Paris “If you are going to serve your country why not go to a state school for almost nothing, at that point I think they have earned it.” Meaning, Paris thinks that after serving your country they have earned the right to go to school for free.
“There was a lot of people in my basic training troop who joined so that they could attend schools like Clemson or Marshall University and it makes sense,” said Paris.
Joining the workforce and finding a secure job is still difficult today and with the unemployment rate still high, the military is great for education and a full time career choice for many.
Changing Paris’s life, joining the Army has given him something to do and helped him in his everyday life at Cabrini.
“I think that joining the army has made me better at managing time and it is easier to understand more people because of the people that I have met,” said Paris.
