By: Tia Prater

Everyone has dreams, but some people work at making them come true immediately after high school. Linden Kistner, 2018 FHS graduate, is one of those people. Kistner, a Flora High School graduate,  always wanted to serve in the military.

Ever since junior high, Kistner knew he wanted to be in the military because he always looked up to his dad who was also in the military. His first choice was the Army Infantry. He started attending physical training with some of his friends during his junior year of high school. After a few months, he started leaning toward the Marines.

“Their values are better. Instead of a one-man team, it’s ‘leave no brother behind.’ I agree with the values of honor, courage, and commitment, along with the leadership principles.”  Kistner said.

Kistner worked hard in high school and had to work even harder to get through basic training. On Oct. 5, 2018, he graduated Marine Corps Recruit Training and went on to attend the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry, which is the second stage of initial military training.

He graduated from the school of infantry on Nov. 13, 2018, and is now going to engineering school in North Carolina to become an Engineer Equipment Electrical Systems Technician.

He says that the hardest part about being in the Marines is being away from his friends and family.

¨I miss hanging with friends, but I like that I’m not at home doing nothing, being stuck.¨

Although he is experiencing success in the military, Kistner still has some regrets. “When I was younger, I wish I would’ve put more effort towards building myself mentally and physically.”

Kistner plans to make a career out of this and make the Marines his life.