By Matt Browning
With his parents in the military, Rose Hill’s Kai Kirchhoff Jones has a unique understanding on life – not just now, but in the future, too.
“Having family members in the military has impacted my life by helping me learn a little more about the military than the normal person,” Kirchhoff Jones said. “I understand the benefits and what everything is going to be like if I were to join the branch my parents were in. The things you receive after serving your time are worth it in the long run like military discounts at certain places.”
There have been obstacles Kirchhoff-Jones, a sophomore, has had to overcome throughout his life as a military kid.
“Some difficult times in my life were when my mom had to go away every few weeks and I had to live with my grandparents for a period of time,” Kirchhoff-Jones said. “My mom left late at night or early morning when I didn’t want her to.”
His parents’ impact, though, has far outweighed the difficult times for Kirchhoff-Jones and it has perhaps shaped his plans after high school.
“My parents’ time in the military has influenced me to be involved,” Kirchhoff-Jones said. “One reason is free college but the main thing is I have decided that if the career plans I have right now don’t work out I will be joining the Army or Marines infantry even though both of my parents were in the Navy.”
