The office door creaks open as a young adult walks into a room. Papers rustle and the keyboard clicks. An officer awaits in their chair to recruit what could be a future military student.

Several Bonita Vista High (BVH) students have made the decision to enlist in the military and serve once they have graduated. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Navy Petty Officer and Recruiter Yexi Bobarajas visited BVH classrooms to give 30-45 minute presentations about the military. She answered questions to those interested in the various programs and provided the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test required to be eligible to serve in the military. This year, Bobarajas has been able to continue these presentations but must do so virtually, by scheduling presentation times with BVH counselors.

“I do presentations online and then we [recruiters and counselors] have the ASVAB test set-up [for students] because it is the first step to being eligible to join the military,” Bobarajas said. “From there, we know who is interested. [These students] can [then] contact me because I am the representative for BVH.”

Bobarajas commented that being a recruiter provided her the opportunity to be a good model for others and change lives. She encourages students to think about their future and their goals. She mentioned that teenagers, 17-18 years of age talk to her if they are unsure of what they want to do in the future.

“They [students] may know what they want, but they don’t know how to get it. I’m here to show them how to take [advantage of] the opportunity to help them achieve their goals,” Bobarajas said.

Senior Moana Reyes will be joining the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman (HM). She mentioned that her recruiter had been a great help in preparing her for the sign-up process. After gaining inspiration from an uncle who joined the Navy and later went on to get his Ph.D., Reyes decided that joining the Navy was a “good path” for her future.

“I am ready to take a step. Maybe that step [involves] college later [on]. [This path] will help me be independent and set my future up for the goals that I have set,” Reyes said.

After growing up around family members who served in the military, senior Gabriella Bonjardim decided serving in the military was also in her future. She had known of the Navy most of her life and this interest peaked during her sophomore and junior year of highschool. After meeting with a recruiter and acknowledging the many benefits that would be provided for her, Bonjardim decided being an HM in the Navy was the branch in which she felt fit.

“My dad started talking about it [the Navy] and I thought it was pretty interesting so I went to go talk to a recruiter to learn more about it, which is what I then stuck with,” Bonjardim said.

As both Reyes and Bonjardim have made their decisions to join the Navy, they must prepare for the future that lies ahead. Furthermore, they plan to continue to focus on schoolwork and family before their departure. While preparing for their futures in the military, Reyes and Bonjardim encounter worries and expect there will be changes in their mindsets as they become accustomed to strict rules and constant movement once they move to the new military environment.

“I am worried about keeping in contact with everyone because I feel like I made some really good friends here [at BVH]. I worry about keeping in touch with family,” Reyes said.

As an HM, both students will be working in the medical field of the Navy. Though Bonjardim has a fear of blood and worries for the feelings of uneasiness she may experience, she is confident in herself and satisfied with the job she will have. 

“We [military students] are mentally going to be in a totally different place, [but in the end] I think everyone is preparing for a new chapter,” Reyes said.