Boot steps: Trevor Roberts

HARLINGEN — Trevor Roberts is following in some pretty big bootsteps.

The 16-year-old’s father was a career Marine. So early on, Trevor knew what he wanted to be when he grew up — a Marine Corps officer.

“As a child, I always looked up to my dad. Him being in the Marine Corps and all the things he’s done, I really admired that about him. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up,” Trevor said.

“So I had a goal planned out from when I was young to go to Marine Military Academy.”

Cadet Battalion Sergeant Major Trevor Roberts, from Fairbanks, Alaska, has been attending MMA since Summer Camp 2014. Now in his junior year, he has attained several distinctions.

When he returns next year for his senior year, he will be cadet battalion commander, the top man on campus among cadets.

As a child, his family moved around the country a lot, from Montana to New Mexico, then to Texas, back to Montana, Kentucky, Ohio and up to Alaska.

His father found out about MMA and decided to send Trevor’s older brother there. Trevor decided he wanted to follow his brother when he “came of age.”

In his sophomore year, Trevor was already hoping to achieve the rank of cadet battalion sergeant major, and his drill instructor encouraged him.

“Every single activity we had that needed a senior or junior, he (drill instructor) put me into that position as a sophomore. So, I had to fill pretty big boots as a sophomore to get this position,” he said.

Trevor feels MMA has prepared him well for his career.

“I’ve learned good leadership skills, problem-solving skills; I’ve learned to work with other people from different backgrounds and different countries,” he said.

What he really wants to do after he graduates is to attend the United States Naval Academy, and then become a Marine Corps infantry officer — after that Special Forces.

Here’s his advice to younger students:

“Pay attention in class and really listen to what the teacher is telling you. If you don’t understand something, always ask, don’t hesitate, don’t be shy. Always put yourself out there and ask questions.

“If you come to MMA and you want to be ranked up, just put yourself out there and be noticed.”