Not all students decide to pursue college right after high school. Senior Christian Orozco chose to commit to the Marines despite family concerns and shared his journey toward this difficult decision with ambitions to help his mother, push his limits, and pursue personal happiness.
Going into the Marines is a huge commitment and Orozco shared how he always planned to attend college after high school. However, talking to campus recruiters changed his mind and encouraged his choice to join the Marines as it would help his future.
“Well, to be honest, it’s crazy because I’ve never thought about going to the service. It was always ‘I’m going to college.’ Then I was at the recruiter station that comes here and I started talking to the recruiter, shout-out Sarge Anthony, and he told me college was an easier path to do through the Marines and I also thought about getting my mom’s documentation,” said Orozco.
Family has always been important to Orozco, and he will be the first in his to go to the Marines. Therefore breaking the news about enlisting was difficult, especially convincing his mother who disapproved of his decision.
“It was one of those things that I just hadn’t told them yet. My recruiter called my mom before I had the chance to tell her. My mom calls me like what is this about you wanting to join the Marines? I don’t want you to do this. Go to college. But I told her…I want to get your papers,” Orozco said.
Determined to achieve his goals, Orozco plans to become an aviation mechanic and looks forward to building skills of discipline and strength while training. Training begins in July and he described his hopes and fears for the upcoming transition.
“Hopefully, I do get my mom her documentation because that’s the big goal right now. My fear is what if I don’t make it through? Because you’re not guaranteed to make it through boot camp. Then there are other factors like what if I get hurt,” said Orozsco.
Orozco looks forward to the Marines, noting the numerous job opportunities that prepare youth for the real world and other benefits including school and housing.
Lastly, he shared what his future means and what fuels his drive on his pursuits after graduation.
“I don’t just want to throw away. I want to make the little me happy, which is where the Porsche comes in. But really, I want to let my parents enjoy life as they let me enjoy my life. I like to think of as theirs too. So I want to support them as long as they’re alive.”
