"He's always here for us", said the High School Athletic Director.  He was referring to the local recruiter who hailed from that same community in Northern California.  The U.S. Army Recruiter was vested in his community and that sentiment was echoed by several teachers and administrators.  The Recruiter, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, assisted at track practice and meets and at baseball events.  More importantly, he was providing the young men and women of the community the service of free career counseling, regardless of their intent to serve in the Armed Forces. 

As I spoke to these young people through the day, I was struck at how similar their future plans and stories appeared.  Most were planning to live at home with their parents, attend "JC" or Junior College, and then "hopefully" transfer over to the larger State College in the area.  

The local recruiter was working hard to inform them about the Leadership, Education, Opportunities and Options available in the Army that have catapulted so many to success in the civilian sector.  We were there to support him with our Army Adventure Semi and he and his chain of command were involved in making the day a huge success.  We talked to a lot of young people about the Army possibilities, but ultimately we got them thinking about there future and the possibility to stretch the bounds of their small community.