A Center Grove High School senior will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with the goal of eventually becoming a Green Beret.
Brett Boswell applied to and was accepted by three of the nation’s most prestigious schools — the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“Ever since I was a kid I’ve always had a desire to serve in the military,” Boswell said. “I’ve always looked up to those who serve. I feel like they are passionate about what they do.”
Boswell will be the first member of his family to serve in the military.
“It would be an honor to start that tradition in my family and keep that tradition going,” he said.
As a freshman in high school, he said he was able to receive some guidance about his decision to join the military from a family friend, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, who is now retired as leader of the Indiana National Guard.
Umbarger was the first person to introduce the idea of attending West Point, Boswell said.
Getting into any of the military academies requires good grades, passing a physical fitness exam and demonstrating leadership through involvement in local groups and activities, Boswell said.
That’s led to a busy four years of high school. Besides playing for the football team all four years, Boswell had leadership roles in the student government and National Honor Society, and volunteered with Blessings in a Backpack, a non-profit organization that provides food for students and their families to make sure they have meals during the weekend.
The most important factor in keeping on top of all those responsibilities was making sure to not procrastinate, Boswell said.
He’s also thankful for all of the support his parents have given, from taking him to different meetings to helping pay for the summer camps he attended.
“My parents have done a lot for me,” Boswell said. “I appreciate all the help I’ve had.”
Boswell chose to apply to all three of the academies to keep his options open when it came time to make a decision. Last summer, he visited the Naval Academy and West Point for week-long camps at each.
A trip to West Point last summer, where he attended a week-long leadership camp, helped to solidify his choice.
“It was a surreal experience, being able to be up there and stay in the dorms,” he said. “It was crazy to think of all the past leaders and generals that have gone through those dorm rooms and walked those streets. It really motivates you to work harder and accomplish what you want to do in life.”
The first acceptance letter Boswell received was from the Naval Academy in December. The letter from West Point came in January and the one from the Air Force Academy arrived in March.
With the option to attend any of the schools, Boswell said his choice to attend West Point came down to the school’s emphasis on leadership, training that will be beneficial even after his leaves the military.
“I feel a huge stress relief off my back, knowing where I’m going next year,” he said.
His plan is to major in economics, although he isn’t sure whether he wants to pursue that career or remain in the military longer than the required five years.
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Name: Brett Boswell
Age: 18
Parents: Jim and Renee Boswell
School: Center Grove High School
College plans: Attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a major in economics
Career goal: Serve in the military and become a Green Beret
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