Senior Marcus Greathouse continues family legacy and joins Army Reserves
Marcus just shortly after graduating from basic training this past September.
This past August, while most seniors were excitedly returning to Scecina to start their final year of high school, Marcus Greathouse was hard at work finishing his basic training with the Army Reserves in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Marcus, along with the support of his family, proudly graduated from basic training on September 1, 2022. His MOS, or role he was assigned, is CBRN Specialist (MOS 74D). Army CBRN Specialists (MOS 74D) defend the country against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons and weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, the specialist in this Army MOS provides detection and response to CBRN weapons.
For Marcus, there was never any hesitation in his choice to enlist in the U.S. Army Split Training program. Marcus is raised by two U.S. Army Veterans, including his mom, Nancy Greathouse, a Spanish teacher at Scecina. Their natural influence and his desire to learn responsibility and respect led him to serve.
“My parents inspired me to enlist. But, I also wanted to better myself by learning the Army values,” said Greathouse.
Because Greathouse attended split training during the summer before his senior year, he’s well ahead of most high school students who join the military. The split training program allows high school students to enlist while they are juniors, are 17 years old, and have permission from a parent or guardian. They finish their junior year and then attend basic combat training during the summer between their junior and senior years.
Marcus with his mom, Nancy, who is an Army veteran. Nancy enlisted shortly after 9/11 and served active duty for five years and as a reservist for four years. Nancy teaches Spanish at Scecina.
Boot camp impacted Marcus for the better, and he is keeping up with his grades and stepping onto the varsity football team in top physical and mental condition without skipping a beat. He is also very focused on applying the discipline and values he’s learned so far from his experience during basic training. He has two goals; to attend West Point Academy and complete The Reserve Officers’ Training (ROTC) Army Reserves. Upon college completion, Marcus can continue and serve in the Army or as a reserve soldier.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become U.S. military officers. In exchange for a paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, participants, or cadets, commit to serve in the military after graduation.
“I believe he will have a bright future, whatever he decides. He is a very intelligent, mature, humble, and good-hearted young man,” said Nancy Greathouse.
Marcus has impacted and inspired so many at Scecina. He was honored during the Father Tom Day Mass to honor Scecina’s namesake, an Army Chaplain who perished at sea. It was obvious the positive impact he had made when his name was called, and he was asked to stand in front of the entire school and several alumni veterans and friends in the Scecina community. His friends proudly cheered and clapped for his brave and honorable decision to serve.
Marcus was recognized for his service during the Father Tom Day Mass on November 8, 2022. The entire gymnasium cheered and honored him.
His Radio and Television II class also put together a special Veterans Day story to honor him, and you can view the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc19vYy6vDU.
“I feel very proud to be a veteran and Army mom. I know that Marcus will be taken care of for the rest of his life. The Army is a family; once you become a soldier, you are part of the family forever,” said Nancy.
