As doing a high school senior, a student faces many challenges from flourishing in the classroom, to well in athletics, to all the other extracurricular activities, while trying to maintain a social life, and worrying about the near future. For
As doing a high school senior, a student faces many challenges from flourishing in the classroom, to well in athletics, to all the other extracurricular activities, while trying to maintain a social life, and worrying about the near future.
For Kaua‘i High School senior Brandon Ballesteros, the future for him is making a difference in today’s world. So he enlisted in the Army, in a time when you almost have to bait individuals, to enlist in any of the armed forces, because of the prospects of going overseas to the Middle East.
The Red Raider basketball guard knew that it was just something he just felt like doing.
“I just wanted to experience something different,” Ballesteros said in a phone interview yesterday.
On June 23, Ballesteros will be officially in the Army, completing his basic training duties at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
With two family members already in the service, his sister Lorinda and uncle Andy Battulayan, it was still his own decision to enlist.
“They (Andy and Lorinda) actually tried to tell me not to go into the armed forces because of what’s going on in Iraq,” Ballesteros said.
While in the Army, he plans to attain a job in mechanic and gain skills for a possible job in that field.
Ballesteros is slated for at least four years of service in his first term, then he has the option of reenlisting after his initial term is up.
At first, Ballesteros’ first choice was the Air Force, but after not getting the opportunity to meet with an official from the Air Force, he decided to talk with Sgt. Dela Cruz from the Army, who came to Kaua‘i High School on a recruiting visit.
After the meeting, Ballesteros made his decision to enlist and he says he’ll stick with it, even though he has the option to drop out.
“I still have some fears, but I can change my mind by June 23, but I will most likely stay in the program,” Ballesteros said.
According to Ballesteros, his parents are very supportive and they remain extremely proud of their courageous son.
