Out of breath. Struggling to stay awake. Hunger pangs setting in. Alone, they would not survive, but together they are stronger. The Marine Corps prepares individuals to work as a unit and endure the rigors of war.

For many, the world today seems like it is falling apart at the seams. Americans see it on the news every day, terrorists attacking universities in Kenya, museums in Tunisia, the threat of nuclear weapons in North Korea and Iran. With so much conflict, it seems like the easiest thing is to do is change the channel. Click. For some though, there is no turning a blind eye. These are the men and women of the United States military and their families. For them, war isn’t a game that can be paused, they fight so that others can have a fighting chance.

While some students are struggling to find ways to pay for the climbing cost of college tuition, the military is providing another option. Seniors Kaitlyn Harris and Matthew Greer both received $83,000 checks to be used for college through the American GI bill for committing to the military for at least three years post high school graduation.

President Obama has recently outlined a plan to withdraw the majority of United States forces out of Iraq and Afghanistan by December 2012, which would leave only a small amount of soldiers behind to maintain order in the Middle East.