By Katie MacBride, Online Editor-in-Chief

Growing up on the Outer Banks gives kids more exposure to the ocean than many individuals experience in a lifetime. For some students, that connection to the ocean can influence their career pathway. 

Seniors Barritt Grizzard and Dean Torchia will be furthering their relationship with the ocean after high school by entering the Coast Guard. They are among a number of FFHS seniors choosing the military as a career path.

“Growing up at the beach is definitely a big factor in why I chose to go into the Coast Guard,” Grizzard said. “I know I’m a good swimmer and I love the ocean.”

While both Grizzard and Torchia liked the idea of having the college experience, they also wanted to take a different path regarding their future.

“I would love the college experience, but I find it a great honor to serve our country,” Torchia said. “Not only do I want to serve the country to help it become a safer place, but the job comes with good benefits, like health insurance.”

That kind of thinking is practical and important, but there is also a lot of responsibility that comes with the job, including a list of requirements and steps that must be taken to join.

“To get in, you cannot have any medical problems, and you have to be able to do a number of physical timed tests and be able to swim,” Grizzard explained. “I was able to get in touch with a recruiter and I went to the recruiting office in Chesapeake to do the paperwork. Then a couple weeks later, I went to Richmond to have a medical physical done. I then had to graduate high school and ‘swear in.’ ”

Members also have to attend basic training before entering.

“All I have left to do for my requirements is boot camp, but that is what I am least looking forward to,” Grizzard said with a smile. 

In addition to the standard physical training he receives at boot camp this summer, Torchia will be entering the Coast Guard with a certified open water diving license.

“Entering the Coast Guard with my diver’s license will definitely help me,” Torchia said.

Although neither knows what positions they will fill in service, overall, Torchia and Grizzard are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives, and while they haven’t even taken their first cruises, they highly recommend this option to others. 

“I think that if anyone isn’t 100 percent certain that they want to go to college, then they should definitely consider joining the Coast Guard or any other armed forces,” Grizzard said. “It is a great opportunity to help serve the country and it comes with many benefits that will help you if/when you decide to have a family.”

Junior Katie MacBride can be reached at 21macbrideka62@daretolearn.org.