Ten weeks of basic training, strict drill sergeants, long days of marching, early morning wake-ups and a constant push to perform–this is what Army basic combat training looks like for thousands of young recruits. 

It is a difficult introduction to military life, designed to shape typical teenagers into disciplined soldiers capable of working under pressure. The experience requires physical endurance, mental toughness and the emotional strength to be far from home for ten weeks of basic training. 

Recruits must quickly adapt to a completely new environment: one where they live with strangers, take orders without hesitation and rely on teamwork to succeed. 

This was senior Noah Beilstein’s experience this past summer after joining the Army National Guard.

Beilstein’s training was at Fort Benning, Georgia, where temperatures ran over 100 degrees in the summer, and trainees learned to treat one another for heat exhaustion. 

Beilstein described a moment when he was helping other recruits to train for buddy team tactics and was able to put his canteens in an ice chest to chill.

“It was the first cold water I drank all summer,” he said. “It tasted like liquid gold.”

It is rare for Beachwood students to enlist in the U.S. military right out of high school, and Beilstein is the only one in recent memory to enlist before his senior year, while still 17. 

Beilstein explained that he had been interested in serving since childhood, imagining himself in uniform long before he seriously considered signing a contract. 

“I joined the Army, honestly, kind of last minute,” he said. “It wasn’t originally part of my plan. I was going to enlist after college, but then I found the National Guard and figured out I could go to basic training early with my dad’s permission.”

The Army National Guard offers a unique option for high school students. For juniors and seniors who meet the requirements, it is possible to enlist early, attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) during the summer break, return home for their senior year and then continue serving part-time while finishing school. 

Beilstein discovered that this path would not only let him start his military career sooner but would also give him real experience before graduation. 

Along with the early training opportunity, the National Guard provides educational benefits, monthly paychecks, and leadership development that many students do not receive elsewhere. 

“I knew I wanted a career in the military,” he said, explaining that the Guard gave him a head start.

Beilstein spent ten full weeks – roughly two and a half months – at basic training over the summer following his junior year. 

Basic training is designed to push recruits to their limits. Each day in basic training begins around four or five a.m., sometimes earlier, with physical training known as “PT.” Recruits run miles, perform push-ups and sit-ups under strict time standards and practice combat skills such as shooting, marching and maneuvering through obstacle courses. 

They learn how to handle weapons safely, how to respond under stress, and how to work effectively as a unit. Throughout the program, drill sergeants supervise nearly every moment, enforcing discipline and order.

“It was definitely tough, both mentally and physically, but I’d say more mentally,” Beilstein said. “Being away from home, you know, it’s a whole new environment to get used to. You’re dealing with a lot of people who you either like or don’t like.”

One of the most difficult aspects of basic training for Beilstein was the isolation from family and friends. Communication is heavily limited, and phones are taken away early in the training cycle. 

“Letters sometimes take weeks to get there,” he said. The lack of connection forces many recruits to rely on each other for emotional support, and Beilstein says his group became close as they learned to face challenges together. 

“Some of the drill sergeants – some of them are more strict than others, and they’ll make you do dumb stuff, but you just gotta get through it,” he said. 

Despite the tough moments, he found the experience rewarding. 

“A lot of it was really fun, honestly,” he said. “I’d say just the whole experience – getting through everything with my buddies and holding each other accountable – was the best part.”

Those who knew Beilstein before he left say the decision to join the Army was not surprising. Senior Chyen Melton Hanily, one of Beilstein’s close friends, has known him for about a year and a half. 

“I’d describe Noah as a welcoming guy who’s willing to go against the grain if that’s what it takes to get what he wants in life,” Hanily said. “He’s always been interesting to be around because he has different perspectives and goals than most people at Beachwood.”

Hanily added that Beilstein’s personality seemed naturally suited for military life. 

“When I heard he was joining the Army, I wasn’t too surprised,” he said. “I feel like his personality fits in reall

y well with people who choose that path, and I honestly don’t think he was cut out for a desk job.”

After returning home, Hanily noticed subtle but meaningful changes in his friend. 

“I think basic training made him even more sure that he wanted to be a soldier,” he said. “From what I heard, he met a lot of good guys and had a positive experience. I didn’t notice any fundamental changes – he just seemed more excited about his future. I think he also gained confidence.”

Beilstein agrees that the experience changed him, especially when it came to discipline and maturity. 

“It definitely made me see things differently when I got back home,” he said. “When it comes to discipline and getting stuff done, I feel like it helped me grow up a little.”

His family reacted with pride, support, and some concern. Many of his relatives are veterans, so the military is familiar to them. 

“My parents always kind of knew I was going to do something in the military,” he said.However, his father had mixed feelings.

“My dad was a little more iffy because he wanted me to be a doctor and not be in the military – especially with the job I have, which is infantry.”

Infantry is one of the most physically demanding roles in the Army. Infantry soldiers are often on the front lines during combat operations, responsible for patrolling, engaging the enemy and completing missions in difficult environments. It is a respected but risky job, known for its intensity.

Since returning from basic training, Beilstein has continued to serve one weekend each month, as required by the National Guard. These weekend drills, held here in Northeast Ohio, include tactical training, weapons practice, field exercises, and teamwork-based missions. 

“In college, when I go to training over the weekend, I’ll be in a field – basically camping and simulating field exercises,” he said. “Then Monday morning, I have to go back to class.”

After graduating this spring, Beilstein will finish his infantry training this summer. 

He plans to attend college in the fall at either The Ohio State University or the University of Cincinnati while maintaining his Guard commitment. 

His contract allows him to complete most of his service during school, with six months remaining afterward. 

“By the time I graduate college, I’ll have six months left to finish out my contract,” he explained. 

He plans to commission as an officer and is still considering whether that will be with the active-duty Army or another branch, possibly the Marine Corps.

Since enlisting, Beilstein has been much more aware of current events.

“I’ve paid a lot more attention to the news, especially if it has to do with the military,” he said.

Based on his training experience, Beilstein strongly encourages other students to consider the military. 

“I definitely encourage it 100%,” he said. “It’s an honorable thing to do for your country. It teaches you how to handle yourself, how to take care of yourself and it gives you great opportunities for school and your future.”

For Beilstein, the Army National Guard has already shaped his path forward – building discipline, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose as he prepares for the next stage of his life.