El Capitan High senior Carlos Vega didn’t see himself attending college after graduating high school.
When exploring his options, the military seemed like a natural fit for his next step. And he decided on the Army.
“College to me wasn’t always calling my name,” Vega said. “I feel like serving or enlisting in the military was always something I wanted to do. I want to get out and discover different things, get out and travel the world and experience things.”
Vega was one of 59 Merced Union High School District seniors who were recently celebrated during the district’s second Salute to Service Luncheon on Tuesday at Merced High School.
As of early 2024, more than two million Americans were serving in the Armed Forces. According to Data Quality Campaign, approximately 70,000 people enlist in the military every year and about half of those are recent high school graduates.
The Army has seen the percentage of recruits enlisting during their senior year of high school fall from 20.5% in 2020 to 13.1% in 2024, according to Stars and Stripes. The Navy has dropped from 30% of recruits being high school seniors in 2020 to 21% in 2024. The Marines have only seen a slight dip from 46% to 40% in the same time frame.
Merced High School counselor Regina Cherf, who is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, said there are many reasons graduates opt to join the military.
“Some students want to learn skills and use those skills when they get out of the military to go into special forces, law-enforcement, medical or a career in investigations,” she said. “Some just want to fly or fight, but I’d like to think that many of them feel a call to serve and a higher purpose. They want to travel and defend our country. And I think there have been a few over the years who probably want to get away and find themselves.”
According to a study by RAND Corporation, people who serve in the military see a boost in their income short and long term. Serving in the military can also create a variety of career pathways for traditionally underserved groups.
Merced Union High School District seniors set to enlist in the Marines pose for photos during the district’s second Salute to Service Luncheon on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Merced High School. Shawn Jansen/[email protected]
“Our job as a district is to offer all the paths, whether it’s a (career technical education) pathway, a student going to a four-year university, and certainly the military is another path,” MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. said “Our area has a long history of military service and this is our way of honoring the past and the present. It’s important for school districts and communities thank and really honor our students who are going on to serve our great country.”
The Merced Union High School District hosted its second Salute to Service Luncheon, celebrated 59 seniors enlisting in the military on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Merced High School. Shawn Jansen/[email protected]
The military is alternative to college for young adults who may want to earn funding for their education through GI Bills while gaining career training, skills and other opportunities the military can provide.
Vega, who has compiled a 3.2 GPA during high school, said he is excited for his next chapter in the Army.
“I’m planning to gain experience in the field and then translate that into the outside world as a cop or something in law enforcement,” he said.
Like Vega, Atwater High senior Gabriel Cisneros, 18, is ready to take a break from the classroom and follow in the footsteps of two of his cousins who served in the Marines and Air Force.
El Capitan High School senior Carlos Vega makes his way to the stage during the Merced Union High School District’s Salute to Service Luncheon on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Merced High School. Shawn Jansen/[email protected]
Cisneros plans to pursue a role in special security forces, infantry or combat support.
“I want to be active and the military has always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Cisneros said.
He said he’s ready for the challenge.
“I feel a sense of pride in serving my country, but I’m also doing it for me,” Ciseneros said. “I want to push myself.”
Peterson said the inaugural Salute to Service Luncheon was well received last year.
“We do a whole lot of things around here, innovative things, new things that some others don’t do,” Peterson said. “That event was the single event that got the most compliments and people really went out of their way to say thank you.”
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