California Democrat

It was while cutting wood with family that an uncle talked to Russellville Senior John Kennedy about applying to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Kennedy said he had always discussed going to West Point as a child, but hearing it again from his uncle Don Kennedy, who had served in the Air Force, is what started the wheels turning. He started by joining the National Guard while still a junior on April 18, 2011.

"On June 6, 2011," Kennedy said, "I shipped to Fort Benning, GA, where I completed Basic Combat Training (BCT). I joined at 17 so I could stay on the right timeline for college. By completing BCT between my junior and senior year I will be able to start college fall of 2012 instead of waiting to start college the following year. I loved Basic Training. Don’t get me wrong; it was hard, but worth every minute. I was put in charge of a platoon of about 60 people and this added some stress, but I embraced it. At the end of the cycle I was promoted by the company commander for my performance and voted soldier of the cycle by my peers. I look forward to a career in the military."

For more of this story check out the Feb. 15 issue of the California Democrat.