What is the scholarship you were awarded?

Victor: Every soldier gets the scholarship money, if you are going into an act of duty, the military pays for your education after serving.

Chase: There are certain colleges which you can use the money at. One of the colleges I’m looking to go to is Colorado State University and that is one of the schools that is eligible for it. We don’t have to submit any applications, after we’ve served our four years, we’re accepted into the schools that are in the program.

Why did you decide to enlist?

Victor: It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do, when I was a kid I always looked up to soldiers. I never knew if I was interested in going to college or finding a regular job. My uncle and some other family members were in the marines, so it inspired me to go into the army with my cousin, who is currently enlisted. I always used to listen to my uncle’s stories and watch all types of military movies, they do more than regular people do. I didn’t want to be like everyone else, I always wanted to try something different and the army was a way to do that.

Chase: As a kid, I always loved playing soldier. I had multiple family members who had served, my grandfather served in Korea and my cousin is currently serving as a minister in the army right now. I always thought it could be something I could do, especially now, I want to use the physicality and things I could bring to the table to help in any way that I can. Overall, I think I’m a different individual than other people. I think differently, I’m a pretty good critical thinker, so whenever I’m in a time crunch I can always figure out a way to get something done or do it another way, even if it’s not the easiest way, I can always figure out how to get things done.

While you serve, what will you be doing?

Victor: Everyone who enlists in the army has to pick their military occupational specialty, or your job that you will do. I got signal support specialist, which is communications. I will do airborne rangers, which is special forces. I’ll be relating communications with allies and seeing what the positions are in formations, and doing missions that rangers need me to do.

Chase: I’m going to be a 19 Delta, which is a Calvary scout. More or less, that’s infiltrating enemy encampments, trying to see enemy movements, and trying to relay information back to the infantry, so they will know where the enemy is, capture their zones, and how to attack tactically. I wanted to do something out in the field and something that would have a big impact. I know that is a big job because it will have a big impact because you have to give the right information, you have to be very precise with how many people are there, or things like that. It’s a critical job that has a lot of risk and reward.

How did it feel receiving your scholarship and just observing the Veteran’s Day assembly?

Victor: It was a great honor to be in front of the school and have them give us the check.

Chase: I thought it was really nice being in the assembly. I thought it was really nice to be able to wear my uniform, it was a really prideful moment for me because I felt like I was really doing something with my life that was going to have a big impact on not only me, but bring honor to my family’s name, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.

Why is it important to honor veterans and what is the significance of Veteran’s Day?

Victor: You have to realize that freedom isn’t free. There are people who go out there everyday and fight for us, and there is people that go out there and die for us. We don’t truly understand what they do, we don’t know who these people are, but they do their job for this country. We have to understand and honor them. Without them there would be other countries and people who would try to take our country away and we have to honor the soldiers that fought for us to have what we have.

Chase: Veteran’s Day, in my mind, is just a day to reflect. Not only to thank the veterans that have fought, but to realize the sacrifice that they are making. A lot of the time it is behind the scenes and you don’t really know what they’re doing at any point in time. If you’re a soldier, you’re not a normal person, you exceed certain standards and means, so you are a different person doing different things that the normal civilian just couldn’t do.

If you could describe what serving for our country means in a word or phrase, what would you say?

Victor: Sacrifice because that is what they do on a daily basis. People in the army don’t get much sleep, the job doesn’t pay much, and they go into dangerous situations all the time. They sacrifice pretty much their entire life for this country.

Chase: Honor or valor because it’s a personal achievement for most people. You may have people thank you and what not, especially on Veteran’s Day, but I think it’s really big for the individual themselves just knowing what you are doing is right.

What are you looking forward to with enlisting?

Victor: I am looking forward to the experience. I’ve always wanted to join since I was a little kid, I look forward to travelling to different countries, learning new stuff, and being able to have that bond that sergeants always talk about. They talk about the brotherhood soldiers have and having each other’s backs.

Chase: I want the comradery. It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else. You can play on a sports team and grow together to become a family, but having essentially your brother’s life in your hands, you really have to think about those things.

Is there anything you’re nervous about within it?

Victor: Not really, I’m looking forward to training, I think it will be challenging, but it’s going to be fun.

Chase: I don’t think I’m scared, physically, there may be things I don’t know if I’ll be able to do. It’s going to be a mental thing to push myself to keep going, so I can get my warrior tasks and duties done.