Alcoa trio take US Army oath of enlistment

A trio of Alcoa seniors raised their hands Wednesday to commemorate a commitment to trade in their Alcoa maroon and aluminum trim for Army green and camouflage.

Braden Cornett, David Jimenez and Helen Jimenez took their oath of enlistment before a crowd of their fellow students, parents and school faculty. The oath was administered by Cpt. Francisco Cobreros with the assistance of Staff Sgt. Tiffany Gibbs and Sgt. 1st Class Allen Zachary from the U.S. Army Recruiting Office.

The path to enlisting in the U.S. Army was different for each.

“I’ve been interested in joining since ninth grade,” Helen Jimenez said. “I was in JROTC and the teacher encouraged me to talk to people from the military to train. And when I came here, because I was in Texas, when I came here, I saw that there was a recruiter and I was like, ‘this might be my opportunity to talk to him.’ It’s just a desire to serve.”

Helen Jimenez heads to basic training the first week of July with the intention of being a mechanic. David Jimenez heads to boot camp the first week of June. The senior said his family helped him make the decision to enlist and also admits to being a little nervous about testing himself in basic.

Cornett is carrying on a family tradition of military service and once his intention to enlist was known there were some nudges toward various branches, but Army won this one in the end.

“I thought about going to the Air Force, but I decided to follow my dad’s footsteps, so it’s kind of a no-brainer to go into the Army. It’s the same thing he did, and kind of keeping up the tradition, I guess you would say,” Cornett told The Daily Times. “Following his footsteps as him, that’s why I chose the army.”

Cornett, who made big impacts on Alcoa’s football team, hopes to pursue an aviation track working with the Army’s helicopters and wants to work in law enforcement when his commitment is up. He also recognizes that as tough as his Alcoa coaches may have been Army drill instructors will push him for more.

“It’s definitely going to be a new adventure, I can tell you that,” Cornett said when asked if that practice time might have helped prepare him. “I’m excited for it though.”

Each of the enlistees received an Army stole and chord to wear during graduation to signify their commitment. The U.S. Army Recruiting Office is located in Hunters Crossing in Alcoa and information can be found at goarmy.com.