The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Keegan Smith is preparing for his next adventure: boot camp for the Marine Corps.

"I had heard people talking about the military at a young age, so when I had time, I looked up the different branches," Smith said.

The 2022 Summerland School graduate said he always knew he wanted to join the military.

"We would have been shocked if he would have taken a different path. Ever since he was young, you could either find him out back dressed in camo playing army, or he would be in the street playing basketball with his brother," said Didi Smith, Keegan's mother.

Leon Stewart, Keegan's grandfather, was in the Army and helped inspire him.

Requirements to be a Marine include: being a U.S. citizen, meeting both physical and mental standards, obtaining a high school diploma, passing the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and passing the military entrance processing station medical exam.

"I'm not looking forward to waking up early and dealing with getting yelled at," Keegan Smith said.

However, Smith is looking forward to meeting new people and bettering himself.

"You become a better person; it helps you stay fit, and jobs see you are in the Marines and know you are a hardworking person," Smith stated.

Smith departed for basic training in San Diego, California, on Aug. 6. Basic training will last 13 weeks.

Then he will choose if he wants to be stationed on the east or west coast.

Smith said at the moment, he hopes to become a state trooper after his stint in the Marines, but it could all change later on.

"We are very proud of him and know he will do great," Didi Smith said.