He's more than 1,000 miles from the ocean, but Ben Gallentine is part of a Twin Cities program that exposes young people to America's sea-base military services.
Gallentine is a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which uses monthly meetings, weekend drills, boot camp and, yes, oceangoing experiences to teach teens about the Navy, Coast Guard and merchant marine services. It also helps them develop citizenship and leadership skills.
"I just came back from field medicine [training] in Florida," Gallentine said recently.
He and other cadets also recently rode in a UH-60 helicopter.
"I think it's important for people to try out what they want to do, before they go and do it," he said.
Gallentine, entering his senior year at Minnetonka High School, will advance to cadet petty officer in the program and is under contract to become an Air Force pararescue jumper.
Jacqueline LeVvintre recently graduated from the program with top honors as the highest-ranking cadet — chief petty officer — and obtained a Navy ROTC scholarship, for a Marine option, at the University of Southern California. She started the junior program at age 10, influenced by her father, who was an instructor in the Cadet Corps for 21 years.
"You learn discipline and learn to be a team player," LeVvintre said. "I supersede the standards even though I am a girl. [I] never gave up."