RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - Adam Kennedy likes to take his time eating. But the Russellville High School junior has accepted the fact he might not have that luxury, if he reaches his dream of serving as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger.
Several teenagers from the rural school already have committed to military service. They know the threats in today's world but are assured this is the path for them to serve their country, to earn an education and to challenge themselves.
Junior Cory Libbert is headed to the U.S. Army National Guard basic training this summer, hoping to move eventually from blackhawk helicopter repair to becoming a pilot.
And junior Noah Stubinger is pretty certain he wants to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, either as a rescue swimmer or firefighter.
Senior Hannah Michitsch eagerly awaits word of whether she will be accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
This summer, Michitsch attended one-week immersion camps at both the naval and air force academies. That was when she learned the U.S. Navy has more aircraft and more opportunity for pilots than the U.S. Air Force, she said.
Michitsch's career goal is to design planes and be a fighter pilot. In college, she hopes to major in nuclear or aerospace engineering. And she looks forward to traveling the world.
"I think the Navy fits me a lot better," she said.
Since her freshman year, Michitsch has known she wanted to serve in the military. And her summer experiences showed her that females were treated no differently than males, she said.
During the camp at the academy, Michitsch said she didn't mind the early morning physical training or the sharp-worded messages at drill and instruction.
"It gave me good insight into what I am getting myself into; I didn't mind at all," she said. "The academics balanced with military training is not the normal college life.
"But it's worth it in the end to get a good education and have a chance to serve my country."
If her applications - to not only the naval but also the air force and coast guard academies - this year are not accepted, Michitsch said she will join an ROTC program while attending college in Mid-Missouri. And then she'll apply again.
The application process for a military academy requires more than basic information, a transcript and a personal essay. An applicant also must meet the Department of Defense medical exam requirements. Then he or she must acquire congressional nominations, which have their own application process.
"It's very competitive," Michitsch said.
Through the last four years pursuing her goal, the 16-year-old has been helped by family and teachers.
"It's nice to have the support and have people willing to help you along the way," Michitsch said.
Cross-country racing and a pull-up bar installed at home have helped her improve physically for the demands of the military. And she keeps up with the latest airplane technology, hoping someday to fly her own designs.
The juniors are preparing for the ASVAB test in December. A good score will help them secure their desired positions, so they have been studying and taking pre-tests.
The Rangers have one of the highest ASVAB score expectations, Kennedy said.
Classes at Russellville such as body conditioning and weightlifting, as well as ag structures, metals and woods, have helped. Libbert, Kennedy and Stubinger agreed.
The school's goal is that each student succeeds after high school, said counselor Brent Mettlen.
The military is a good option for some, Mettlen said.
Benefits include money for college, assured employment, structure and skills for the future.
"It's a big commitment to leave your comfort zone for basic training ... and not know where you might be deployed," Mettlen said.
Having a goal and knowing the military's expectations for new recruits already has shaped these students.
"It's definitely made me work harder in school," Kennedy said.
To prepare for the rigors of attending a military academy, Michitsch has taken challenging courses to earn her place as second in her class, she's stepped up to leadership positions in FFA and the Multicultural Club, and she's taken athletics more seriously than she might have.
The pre-military teenagers have found their peers wish them luck, respecting that the military isn't for everyone.
"We're willing to go through all the challenges to achieve the end goal," Michitsch said. For her, that is "to make an impact on the world and to help change it for the better."