Craig Daily Press

Saraya Hammond, Moffat County High School senior, had her doubts. At first.

It wasn’t that becoming a diesel mechanic in the U.S. Marine Corps after she graduated was a foreign idea to Hammond.

Although he couldn’t serve for medical reasons, her father, Lance, “engrossed” himself in the Armed Forces, she said.

“It was pretty much all I was hearing when I was growing up,” she said.

But, committing to 13 weeks of boot camp and after tours, possibly in Iraq or Afghanistan, initially gave Hammond cause to rethink her decision.

Now, those doubts are gone, she said.

Hammond ships off to Paris Island, S.C. to begin boot camp July 7. After she completes the training, she expects to take classes at an Army mechanics school, she said.

Hammond currently is taking classes in Grand Junction that provides physical training and prepares her for Marine life.

The training “shows us what to expect so we don’t get culture shock,” Hammond said.

Hammond travels to trainings in Grand Junction once every two weeks to complete exercises, including marching drills.

Resolution also has been a force behind her commitment to the decision.

“It’s a mind game,” she said. You “just keep the state of mind that you’re going to go through it.”

Hammond said she believes joining the Armed Forces lends directions to her future.

Lance, agrees.

He said his observations re­­vealed that many teenagers don’t know what direction to take after graduation and may end up switching majors in college.

Joining the Armed Forces allows newly graduated students to take time and consider their future course, he said.

“In the meantime, (students) might as well get some training, see the world, serve a county,” he said. “Usually, most people come out … (with) a pretty good idea of what they want to do or, at least, the direction they want to go.”

Lance was pleased by his daughter’s choice to join the Marines.

“I was leaning toward any of the armed forces,” he said. “But she’s always known I’ve held a special place in my heart for the Corps.”

Her choice to become a diesel mechanic took him by surprise, he said.

Lance stands by her decision, all the same.

“It’s a wide-open field, especially with cutting-edge technologies …. (with) alternative diesel fuels,” he said.

Saraya said working on her car with her father helped develop her interest and knowledge in mechanics.

“Every time something goes down on it — which is every week — we fix it,” she said. “I learn a little more every time.”

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com