Transformations
Louis Arroyo: When these children go to boot camp, they get molded. I mean whether they realize it or not. I mean from their facial features, I mean everything. Their bodies sculpted. Their attitude is just different.
Holly Clayman: He had pride of himself, and he hadn’t had that yet. He had respect for himself and respect for others around him, not only other military but just the people around him.
Barbara Heinz: He was a little bit lost. He was in college but he didn’t really have any direction, and then when he graduated from boot camp, he knew what he wanted to do. And he said, “Oh, I’m going to do this for 30 years,” which he may not do, but I mean, he grew.
Dawn Woodings: They’ve got a look on their face that says, “I’m proud. I did it. I made it. I am a Soldier.”
Louis Arroyo: I mean it’s just a remarkable transformation that happens from the day they leave your home to the day they graduate. They’re highly disciplined. They’re motivated. They’re proud.
Darlene Anderson: I saw my boy become a man. I could see the confidence.
Holly Clayman: He was more observant. He was more mindful. And in three days that we were able to spend with him, we just noticed the tremendous change.
Edward Smigelski: Oh, he matured an awful lot. I mean just because he used to be a wild young man. He [is] just very more mature, even more so now. This experience for him has really helped him grow up.
Darrell Harper: When he first left, I could see a 19-year-old teenager. But now I see a 19-year-old man.
Mary McHugh: The transformation was immense, and yes, it did alleviate a lot of my apprehension. It was truly, he had become the man that he said he was going to become.
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