Former Phi Gamma Delta President Scott Badenoch had planned to head off to law school when he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in English in the spring.
The Weinberg senior had it all planned out: he would get a good summer internship, go to a top-notch law school and eventually become a partner in a firm.
On Sept. 11, that all changed when he was woken by a friend’s scream: “We’re at war!”
The World Trade Center and the Pentagon had just been hit, and as Badenoch watched his television, eyes glued to the indelible images of America under attack, he felt the course of his life had shifted forever.
“My plan is to be a JAG (Judge Advocate General) in the Marines,” the former ASG presidential candidate said. “It’s kind of a change in direction, but it makes a lot of sense to me.”
Badenoch said his plans as of Sept. 10 suddenly seemed inappropriate. “I feel like it’s just taking from our country instead of giving back.”
He grew up hearing war stories from elder family members, including his grandfather, a World War II fighter pilot.
“I was just brought up thinking that the military was a thing that a man needs to do if that’s what needs to be done,” he said.
That’s why Badenoch said he didn’t hesitate to rethink his plans after the terrorist attacks. He says he immediately thought, “Well, all right, it’s time to go.”
“All my life I thought I wanted to be in the armed forces,” he said. “When I went to college, it didn’t seem like a necessity anymore.”
Now that it does, Badenoch said that students still should not feel obligated to join the military.
“I think the people who should do this will know that they should do this,” he said. “That’s why this is America. You can choose not to be in the Army.”
Still, Badenoch said many of his friends are considering enlisting. “I’m really proud to see the way they’ve reacted to that,” he said.
Badenoch said he will train at law school and boot camp so that he can serve about three years as a Marine lawyer.
He said that he’s “lived a pretty good 20 years” and that others haven’t been as fortunate. “I’m willing to fight for that.”
