FORT KNOX Ky., — After school is out for the summer, ROTC cadets from all parts of the country come to one place for Cadet Summer Training, and although they walk different paths of life, they all have the same purpose: to serve.

For Cadet Zachariah Trevino, assigned to 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp, serving in the Army allows him to break family patterns.

“Coming from a lot of nothing, coming from a single-parent home and now me choosing both college and the army changes that,” Trevino said.

Trevino grew up without a father which was difficult for him as he got older. However, this does not mean he did not have support along the way. His uncle was a big role model for him in his young adult life.

“He put me under his wing when I turned 18 and led me into a great path, he’s just always just had my back,” Trevino said.

“My uncle also had the same thing growing up, he didn’t really have anybody, so he is there for all the nephews and I just want to keep the cycle going with my nephews.”

Another role model for Trevino was his older sister. Growing up he relied on her and she always supported him growing up.

Now Trevino has two nephews of his own, they inspire him to pay forward the same support his sister and uncle have provided him to his nephews. He even has their names tattooed on his wrist a reminder to be a better male figure then those before him.

“ I want to be a great mentor like how my sister was for me,” Trevino said.

“Now my nephews can look up to me and my sister can rely on me in the future versus me relying on her.”

With prior enlisted experience as a combat engineer, now studying law and criminal justice at Grand Valley State University, Trevino is becoming a leader both in and out of the Army.

“Going to ROTC and going to college gave me a great opportunity and a great blessing. It’s a blessing because now I can help my family in the future.”