Both Mitchley and Brigner agreed that reaching students at younger ages would make it easier to remind those with plans of enlisting the importance of their younger years.

“I’d tell those interested to focus on school, stay in school, avoid drugs and stay out of trouble,” Brigner said. “If you live a good life you’re qualified for anything you want to do in the future.”

Mitchley agreed that speaking to students at a younger age would help lower the number of those turned away. She wishes the Army would have the opportunity to enter schools and talk to students of freshman and sophomore age.

“We could give them the ASVAP test and let them know what the military provides. We have every job in the civilian economy,” she said. “... We’re the fighting force of America and need to be mentally, morally and physically capable.”

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