Wylie ISD senior shares his experience in the Army National Guard enlisting at 17

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – 17-year-old Jack Garvey is like any other student at Wylie High School. Spending time playing sports like tennis, hanging out with friends, and taking classes. But many teens spend their summers working part-time or having fun.

Garvey was in Fort Moore, Ga., getting a head start in his military career at the Army National Guard boot camp.

“I was looking at it junior year around December/January when I was going to turn 17, see if I could do it, and I didn’t want to do it at first, and then come around May, I was like, I think I want to do it now. So, I signed and went to MEPS, and ten days later, I was off the basic training,” said Garvey.

As for his family, his mom, Camie Garvey, shares she is proud of Jack for creating a plan for his future.

“It surprised me, but it’s cool because it’s really taken a lot of worry off my shoulders. I know parents worry about their kids and their future and if college is going to lead them to a career. If they’re going to be able to financially afford how hard it is out there right now. And I feel like that’s been a huge weight lifted insurance-wise, career-wise,” added Camie.

However, with only one semester left before Jack heads back to the Army. Camie and the rest of his family are appreciative of every moment together.

“I want him around 24 seven because I know he’s getting ready to leave for it, which is his advanced training, but he is doing his friend thing and his girlfriend thing, so I’m just trying to support him,” explained Camie.

Now, in his senior year, Jack shares the skills he’s learned in boot camp, which helped him become a leader. Those skills are now reflected in the classroom.

“I am a talker in class, and I’ve been so quiet this year. Before I went, I was naive and didn’t know much. But now I have so much respect for small things, and it’s just a great experience,” detailed Garvey.

Right after graduation, Jack heads back to the Army for additional training. Appreciating his time left in High School with friends and family. It’s their support that he credits to making his decision to join the military at 17.

“My grandfather, Joe Garvey, he was a retired reservist in the Marines, and he was the only military I had. He was just like a father to me all my life. He’s just a great person, and my parents, I mean, they were such a big help with everything that got me to this point,” said Garvey.

Encouraging other teens who are on the fence about joining the military to explore different branches and not be afraid to ask tough questions to recruiters.