Summary
Seton graduates answer the call to serve, showing how patriotism, courage, and military service can become a Christian vocation.It is rarely discussed, but patriotism is a noted virtue in the Christian arsenal. Perhaps the most easily recognized form of patriotism is military service.
The early Church struggled with this issue for some time; the command “Thou shalt not kill” was taken very seriously indeed, as was the Christian cheek-turning command.
It was not until the time of Saints Demetrius and Nestor (look them up!) in the fourth century that an understanding was reached regarding military service for Christians; it was finally understood as a form of laying down one’s life for neighbors.
Ever since, the Church has recognized the validity of military service as a Christian vocation. An interesting statistic: in World War 2, when the Catholic population of the United States was roughly 25%, fully 33% of our military were Catholic!
Seton Students Answer the Call
Seton students often join the military; we do stress the love of the nation in our courses, and many of our young men and women heed the call to serve.
Here are the stories of several of them who have served. We use only first names (with one exception) due to privacy concerns.
Benjamin’s father once exclaimed that his son was crazy. Ben would put rocks in his boots, hoist a backpack filled with sixty pounds of rocks, and go on twenty-mile runs.
He wanted to join the Navy SEAL team and knew their training was extraordinarily tough, so he adopted a regimen to prepare. Ben was accepted into SEAL training and did well, but during the underwater demolition course, he decided to specialize in that field rather than complete the SEAL course.
Excellence in Service
Seton classmates Christopher and Marcela ended up in the same class at the Air Force Academy. Upon graduation, they were both chosen for advanced flight training, a career path offered to very few. Additionally, Christopher was selected for fighter jet training, a choice offered only to the very best of the very best.
Twin brothers Rob and Michael both obtained appointments to the Naval Academy. Upon graduation, Rob was selected to serve on nuclear submarines, essentially the Navy’s equivalent of fighter piloting. Michael soon became an aide-de-camp to an Admiral.
John chose to join the Army Reserves and used the G.I. Bill to fund his education through the doctoral level. He served in the Reserves (and still does) and has attained the rank of full Colonel.
He was deployed to the Middle East twice and, among other accomplishments, earned a Bronze Star for his service. He is currently serving as a college president!
First in Class
Finally, in pride of place comes Jonathan Bate, a 1998 Seton graduate. Jonathan obtained a late appointment to West Point and graduated first in his class in 2006.
He joined the likes of Douglas MacArthur and Custis Lee in that accomplishment; Custis Lee, of course, was the son of Robert E. Lee, who managed only to graduate second in his class.
Jonathan was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, has been a professor of Economics at West Point, earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard, and a Doctorate in International Relations from Stanford. He continues to be a highly regarded instructor and military theorist for the Army.
Serving Beyond Self
Many other Seton students have joined the military and excelled in their careers. Service to country is an honorable option offering great benefits to both the student and the nation.
One great benefit for American students is the G.I. Bill, which can help fund college. Even a limited enlistment (usually four years) offers the benefit of the Bill and can carry a student through an entire college enrollment.
The possibility then exists to obtain real benefits for one’s secular life and practice, as well as one of the great Christian virtues.
