Rolling off the bed Wednesday morning, senior Paola Reynoso completes her weekly routine by fixing her hair into a bun and putting on her Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) uniform.

“As a young child, my mother took me to an air show and I instantly fell in love,” Reynoso said. “I suddenly figured out that I wanted to protect and serve people (like) my mother did.”

Instead of participating in the college application process, some seniors are planning on enlisting after high school.

“I hope that I get discipline, skills and a different perspective out of the military,” senior Jenifer Le said.

Reynoso said she is mentally prepared to join the military.

“I spent two weeks at the Naval Academy,” she said. “They’re constantly waking you up at 4 a.m. and talking crap about you in order to break you. I (have) basically been through it. Now all I have to do is enlist.”

Senior Jenifer Le said she chose to join because of the traveling benefits.

“I want to explore and get away,” Le said. “People believe going to the military is a easy ticket out, but I believe you still have to work as hard as college students.”

Le plans on joining the Navy.

“I was always drawn to it, and I like the ocean,” she said. “Plus, they (the Navy) have more careers than the other branches that I could potentially be in.”

Senior Paola Reynoso plans on joining the Air Force.

“I’ve always loved the sky, and it just seemed like the right branch for me,” Reynoso said. “It’s been my dream since I was a kid.”

Le said her parents didn’t expect her to join.

“My dad was surprised since I never really talked about it and (he’s) pretty content with it (my enlistment,) but my mom cried a lot,” she said. “She told everyone in my family (in order) to try to convince me not to go.”

Reynoso said her father was furious when she told him.

“He did not like the idea of the military,” she said. “My mom on the other hand wasn’t thrilled but being ex-Army herself, she understood.”

ROTC Lieutenant Colonel Terry Webster said there are many misconceptions about the military.

“Most people, who think about the military, picture everyone with guns going into battle,” he said.

Webster said that people are necessary to fill many different fields and tasks in order for the military to function as one of the best organizations in the world.

“The military needs office administrators, maintenance workers, contractors, engineers, transportation people and chaplains,” he said. “It takes a lot to sustain a military force.”

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at school does not recruit for the military.

“The program educates and trains students (cadets) in citizenship, community service and self-discipline,” Webster said. “To enter the military, (you) can see one of the recruiters or call the local recruiting station.”

Recruits must take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and undergo certain physical changes in order to meet the demand.

“I had to cut my hair because it wasn’t long enough to tie in a bun,” Le said. “ I also had to gain weight since I didn’t meet the requirements.”

Webster said joining the Air Force helped him gain more confidence.

“I was pretty nerdy in high school and also shy and introverted for the most part,” he said. “It (the Air Force) helped me to be able to speak in front of a crowd, put my trust in others and build their trust in me.”

Reynoso said she didn’t “like the idea of getting hurt while serving.”

“However, it’s (an) occupational hazard that I’ll endure,” she said.

No matter the dangers, Reynoso said she’ll overcome her fears for another person’s well being.

She said, “It will be worth the injury if I save someone’s life or I can make a difference.”