Since 1947, the United States has celebrated Veterans Day on November 11. SFHS started a tradition several years ago to host a school wide assembly to honor veterans who serve. 

Enlisting in the military is a career that almost everyone is aware of, but not many people know what it is like or what it takes to join. Students at SFHS have many opportunities to speak with military recruiters who come to campus on a fairly regular basis.

Beyond post-secondary education benefits, some enlisted servicemen stress the importance of the training they receive. 

“I was an Aviation Ordananceman and I worked with explosives like bombs and torpedoes,” said Navy Recruiter Petty Officer Second Class Seth Johnson.

Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant Stoeckman served as an Artilleryman and in Communications. He now serves as a recruiter for the National Guard. 

Prior to making a military commitment, candidates must go to Military Entrance and Processing in Fort Snelling. This entails a series of tests and physical assessments needed to join the military. All branches of the military go to MEPS. During the enlistment process, people have to undergo extensive physical and mental tests.They determine whether a candidate has what it takes to be in the military. 

In addition, after passing the tests, service members get to decide what jobs they qualify for and think about what they might want to do in the military. They also find out about pay, bonuses, and the rank they will receive. 

 “I wanted to be a 31B (Military Police), but when I went to MEPS there were no openings so I settled on 11B (Infantryman) because of the $20,000 bonus,” said  senior Hayden Anderson who recently joined the National Guard. 

Anderson had some insight into the benefits he will receive through military service.

“I joined the National Guard because they pay for my college and the money and experience I gain from being in,” said Anderson.

Senior Elizabeth Croston will be heading into the Air Force following graduation.

“I wanted to join because my family has a history of military service,” said Croston, “and I wanted to keep the tradition going.”