June 26, 2021 at 3:11 a.m.
Promise fulfilled
Where they're going
Promise fulfilled
By Amy Schwartz-
Editor’s note: This story is the first in our summer series about local 2021 graduates’ plans after high school. It will run on Saturdays through August. If you have a suggestion of someone to include, email details to [email protected].
When Blake Pruett was in fourth grade, he and a friend were in the library looking for something to read.
Pruett picked up a book about the Marine Corps while his friend grabbed a book on the Navy Seals. After some debate as to which was the best institution, the friends vowed to join the groups later in life to officially decide which is superior.
“We said we’d both grow up and join the groups to see which is really the best,” recalls Pruett, who graduated from Jay County High School on Sunday.
Though alone in his commitment to the childhood promise, Pruett will live out his Marine Corps dream as he goes to basic training July 12.
“Life is full of challenges, my life has been especially,” said Pruett. “The Marine Corps seems like the hardest challenge there is. I might as well take it and better myself.”
Pruett will be at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, for three months at boot camp. From there, he will move to Camp Pendleton in Northern California to undergo basic infantry rifleman training, learning how to use weapons such as grenades and machine guns, including the new M-27 assault rifle.
Pruett is originally from Richmond and has lived in Portland for three years. Being in the foster system, Pruett was constantly moving before landing in Portland. Though the constant change was rough at times, he said, he also gives credit to the system for helping him become the person he is.
“Where I was originally at, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” he said. “(The foster system) gave me another chance.”
While attending Jay County High School, Pruett was a member of the track and wrestling teams. He also played in the school’s marching, jazz and concert bands.
Pruett plans to serve at least eight years in the Marine Corps and then decide whether to continue his military service full-time or to work toward becoming a state police officer.
When Blake Pruett was in fourth grade, he and a friend were in the library looking for something to read.
Pruett picked up a book about the Marine Corps while his friend grabbed a book on the Navy Seals. After some debate as to which was the best institution, the friends vowed to join the groups later in life to officially decide which is superior.
“We said we’d both grow up and join the groups to see which is really the best,” recalls Pruett, who graduated from Jay County High School on Sunday.
Though alone in his commitment to the childhood promise, Pruett will live out his Marine Corps dream as he goes to basic training July 12.
“Life is full of challenges, my life has been especially,” said Pruett. “The Marine Corps seems like the hardest challenge there is. I might as well take it and better myself.”
Pruett will be at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, for three months at boot camp. From there, he will move to Camp Pendleton in Northern California to undergo basic infantry rifleman training, learning how to use weapons such as grenades and machine guns, including the new M-27 assault rifle.
Pruett is originally from Richmond and has lived in Portland for three years. Being in the foster system, Pruett was constantly moving before landing in Portland. Though the constant change was rough at times, he said, he also gives credit to the system for helping him become the person he is.
“Where I was originally at, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” he said. “(The foster system) gave me another chance.”
While attending Jay County High School, Pruett was a member of the track and wrestling teams. He also played in the school’s marching, jazz and concert bands.
Pruett plans to serve at least eight years in the Marine Corps and then decide whether to continue his military service full-time or to work toward becoming a state police officer.
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