kmaples posted on January 30, 2011 15:59
This is a big year for senior Jake Hunt.
It’s the year he graduates high school, turns 18 and begins his duty in the military.
It’s also the year he is deployed to Afghanistan for nine months.
“It (joining the military) is something I’ve always wanted to do, (especially) after my brother joined and I heard about everything going on overseas,” Hunt said. “I’m kind of nervous, but not really scared because I’m going to be surrounded by some of the most highly trained soldiers in the world.”
Hunt graduated after the first semester and leaves for infantry training in February, where he will learn to clear buildings and use weapons.
But it’s using weapons after deploying in July that Hunt is most worried about.
“I’m scared that if I come around a corner and I see a kid holding a gun, what am I gonna do?” he said. “Everything inside me tells me to stop and don’t shoot, but I have the life of the squad behind me (to think about).
“We have to shoot. If you find yourself in that situation and don’t do it, it’s disobeying orders.”
Hunt has received training since he joined the military last summer. One weekend each month he attends sessions where he is taught how to use weapons and takes physical fitness tests.
His mother, Christy Fry, also has apprehensions about sending her son off to war.
“Being his mother, you kind of get mixed emotions,” she said. “You have the pride of course, and then you have the part where your child is going to serve his country and the fear is there for his safe return.
“My biggest worry is that in the event they were to go into full-fledged war again, he may not come back the same, or at all.”
Fry has had time to deal with her son’s decision. Hunt’s been planning to join the military for about two years after attending a couple of training sessions with his older brother, who’s also in the military.
But even though Hunt will be defending his country in combat in less than six months, he’s still a 17-year-old who just wants to enjoy what was supposed to be the end of his senior year.
“I’m missing out on a lot,” Hunt said. “The second half of my senior year is supposed to be the fun part remembering all the good times.”
Instead, the realization that Hunt has to leave is starting to dawn on his mother.
“I wanted him to enjoy his childhood for the rest of his senior year in high school,” Fry said. “In just over four weeks he’ll leave for basic training, so it will definitely be a change.”
The only comfort for Fry is that the two brothers will be serving in the same unit.
"At least they will have each other, if nothing else,” she said. “It is definitely scary having both of your children going, but that’s something they both are very interested in, serving our country, and protecting all of us here at home.”