FORT KNOX, Ky. – Inspired by his role models, Hunter West always wanted to become a Soldier.

Cadet Hunter West, Eastern Kentucky University, assigned to 4th Regiment, Advanced Camp, was originally going to enlist in the Army after high school. That was before the fresh graduate earned a scholarship to attend college.

But as his passion persisted, West decided to cancel that scholarship and join the Kentucky National Guard.

West began to fulfil his duty to serve while participating in the Simultaneous Membership Program, which allows him to serve concurrently in the National Guard and ROTC.

His decision, a choice that felt more financially responsible to him, seemed promising because of the opportunities he would have in ROTC.

At EKU, West studies Homeland Security.

“I learn counterterrorism, disaster readiness/response and counterintelligence,” said West. “I plan to use ROTC to commission into Active Duty Armor and then become a contractor, too.”

West is split between his options for the future when he leaves the Army. While he would be done in the Army, his sense of duty would not stop at the door.

He intends to stay involved in the protection of his community.

One destination for him is working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Kentucky.

“FEMA would give me a sense of purpose of helping the community,” he said. “Kentucky suffers from a lot of floods and tornados.”

The other is the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“I’m anti-drug and I’d really like to help get them off the Kentucky streets,” said West.

For inspiring him, West credits his late father, a Marine, who passed before he was born. West also credits his grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, who was one of his primary father figures.

“They had a lot of influence on what I wanted to do with my life,” said West. “I always wanted to be a Soldier since I was a little kid, and that’s why I joined.”