More local grads opt for military

MILFORD — As August comes to a close, a smaller portion of Delaware Valley High School graduates are packing their bags for their first year at college. Post-secondary education acceptance rates have fallen 6% in the last year, the largest one year drop on record, according to the school’s annual “final decision report.” Some 84% of Class of 2008 graduates will be going on to colleges or technical schools, the lowest level in nine years. Accounting for some of the decline are military enlistments, which are at their highest levels in recent history, said guidance department chair Jay Tucker at a recent school board meeting. In fact, military enlistments have doubled since last year and more than tripled since 2005. Of the 26 students entering the military, ten will be going into the Navy, seven Marines, five Air Force, three Coast Guard, and one Army. Tucker said increased college costs and the new G.I. bill, which among other things expanded benefits to those who enlist, were contributing factors to the increase. Data provided to the Courier from several branches of the military demonstrated no overall parallel increase. For example, between June, 2007 and June, 2008 the number of enlistments in the Navy fell slightly compared to the same period the previous year. Ashley Lamac of Westfall graduated this year and is ready to begin a career in the United States Navy. Her brother, Austin, is currently deployed in Egypt with the National Guard. “It is not just the honor of serving your country,” she said as to why she joined, “it is also the amazing educational experience you receive.” Though all who enlisted in her class did so out of the desire to serve, she said, she estimated 15-20% were further persuaded because other options to them, such at attending a college or university, were not possible because of the cost. Lamac said many students, perhaps including herself, would not seek higher education at all, even if they could, if it were not for the opportunities provided by the United States Military. Lamac added that even while recruitment in the school district is becoming more difficult for the military, oftentimes, friends make better recruiters than the paid professionals. She, for instance, became interested in the Navy after one of her friends put her in contact with her Navy recruiter. She said it is often the case where students become interested in the military and then enlist after their friends do the same. The vast majority of the 26 students who are entering the military are close friends and come from the same social circle, she said. Tucker said he remains hopeful that the number of college-bound graduates will increase in the coming years, particularly from the 10% of students who leave Delaware Valley not heading into the Armed Forces or to a college. Where they all went: class of 2008 profile- 250 - four year colleges 102 - two year colleges 25 - business and technical schools 45 - seek employment 26 - entered Armed Services