In the weeks leading to Humboldt Highs graduation last May Lance Daniels was was uncertain about his future.
A four-year stint in the Army his obligation as a volunteer wasnt a long-considered decision. I didnt know what I wanted to do. One day he thought: Why not the Army?
Two others in his class, Josh Vanetta (Marines) and Nick Schultz (Army) made it a military troika.
Lance became a newly minted recruit on Aug. 21. He deferred induction until then so he could play first base for Iolas state-championship American Legion baseball team.
On arriving at Fort Benning, Ga., he was one of 3,000 volunteers flooding in, more than was a comfortable fit. He, and about 40 others, were transferred to Fort Jackson, S.C., for basic training.
Movies often portray basic training as an abusive experience and it was some part of hell for a Humboldt kid who liked to sleep in until well after the sun rose.
They broke us down, then built us back up, he said of the early stages of his military life.
The buildup started at 5 a.m. each day with a couple of hours of physical training before a quick retreat to shower and then a trot to breakfast. Meals are kind of like school food, and all you want to eat.
Emphasis continued on reconstructing Lance and his mates, including two rigorous weeks of learning to effectively fire the M-16.
Basic training isnt for sissies. The first day Lance had 195 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame; after 10 weeks of basic he weighed 166.
Next up was back to Fort Benning to pursue his MOS (military occupational specialty): Learning how to repair and maintain all systems of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a small diesel-powered tank and other fighting machines, including Humvees. The training involves classroom and hands-on tutoring. He will graduate on March 15.
Lance has been told he then will be posted at one of five U.S. forts, perhaps Fort Riley. Following the progression, if deployed overseas, it likely will be to Germany or Kuwait.
To keep his sharp physical edge honed in basic training, Lance continues to rise early each day for an hour of two of exercises before breakfast. The remainder of the day he immerses himself in how to keep fighting machines online. The only exception is weekends, when we get up at 6 for physical training and after breakfast have the rest of Saturdays and Sundays off to do what we want, albeit within confines of Fort Benning and its mini mall.
A feature of the all-volunteer Army contrary to when privates were paid a pittance is Lance earns a little over $1,500 a month, which will increase periodically.
HE RETURNED to Fort Benning Friday.
Eager to get back? Kinda, Lance said. I want to get through school and find out where Im going.
And to see close friends, including his closest Army buddy, Dalton Lester, a lad from Virginia with the same MOS. Weve been together since day one in the Army.
