By Jennifer Eisenbart
Correspondent
All his life, Catholic Central High School student and Elkhorn native Jack Czerwinski knew he wanted to serve in the United States armed forces.
“I’d always wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and join the Army,” he explained.
Now, at the end of high school, Czerwinski is looking at joining at a high level. In January Czerwinski was accepted into West Point – the U.S. training ground for officers in the Army.
He will receive a free education, and upon completion of his degree at West Point, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Students need a nomination from U.S. representatives or senators, or in some cases, the president. Czerwinski received nominations from both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Sen. Ron Johnson.
Czerwinski said he found out about West Point in the sixth grade, and he knew right away that would be his college of choice.
“I couldn’t stand myself, and my father probably couldn’t have stood me, if I went Navy or Air Force,” he said with a smile. “It was always Army.”
He said he was looking forward to the brotherhood of the Army.
“For me, I like boots on the ground,” Czerwinski explained.
Czerwinski’s intent is to major in civil engineering, but also wants to consider mechanical engineering.
“Engineering is always my forte, the STEM field in particular,” he said. “So much of engineering is applicable to the Army.”
But while the free education is a perk, it’s not the reason why Czerwinski is excited.
“It is the epitome of a school for officers,” he said. “West Point combines great officer training with great academics.
“It’s hard to beat that.”
