When Christopher Gouin, a senior at Johnson Ferry Christian Academy in Marietta, arrives at West Point on June 28 for Reception Day, he’ll be realizing a dream that began when he was nine years old. As a young boy, he was inspired by Stephen Crane’s classic The Red Badge of Courage, as well as the life of a close family friend.
Earning an appointment to the United States Military Academy is a high honor. Applicants must be nominated by their congressional representative and/or state senators, and this premier institution is highly selective. In fact, more than 25,000 candidates composed the applicant pool for the class of 2020, and the acceptance rate was 4.5 percent. Chris set about creating an overall academic and leadership development plan that would lead to his ultimate goal: a military career in service to our country.
In middle school, Chris attended a week-long STEM summer program at the United State Military Academy at West Point and had the opportunity to shadow a cadet. In high school, he expanded on such activities, including two consecutive summers participating in a Duke TIP course at Texas A&M, and one summer course at Rice University. One class, “The Evolution of Military Strategy,” made a huge impact on him. The class itself was exciting, but the instructors, Marine Major Cameron McCoy and Texas A&M Cadet Tim Erickson, became true role models for Chris. “They showed me how to be dedicated to a set of ideas and to stand firm in your beliefs. They are true servant-leaders and showed a real interest in the students’ lives.” Since that time, Chris has strived to base his character on theirs.
In his first year of high school, Chris joined The King’s Academy Knights Battalion of the United States Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), the only hybrid JROTC program in the country. Chris advanced to the rank of cadet lieutenant colonel, a battalion commission, overseeing 50 cadets and various programs. “Good and clear communication is a must,” he points out. This JROTC program is “very good. It develops strong leadership potential and pushes cadets outside our comfort zone.”
This past summer after completing his junior year, Chris took part in the American Legion’s Boys State program, a highly selective, participatory educational experience that focuses on local, county, and state government operations. He was also selected to take part in the American Legion’s Boys Nation, in which 98 boys – two from each state except Hawaii – spend a week in Washington, D.C. Each student acts as a senator from his home state, and participates in the national political process, including committees, hearings on bills, party conventions, nominations, and elections for a president and a vice president.
“Boys Nation inspired me in my wish to serve my country. I witnessed firsthand how American government works. Most Americans don’t get a chance to do that,” Chris says. “And I met the President and Senator Isakson.”
This past summer, Chris also took part in two highly selective, week-long programs: the Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) at West Point, as well as the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar at Annapolis. After these experiences, Chris decided that the United States Army is a better fit for him. “The Army is the biggest branch of the military and very people-oriented. I prefer working with people. Also, I love the West Point campus and the caliber of people there.”
Chris chose to attend Johnson Ferry Christian Academy (JFCA) for high school. As a University-Model® school, JFCA offered him the academic rigor and flexibility he required. “JFCA’s intentional and rigorous workload cuts out the fat,” says Chris. And the University-Model® approach “taught me time-management skills, life and work balance, and how to set my priorities. It helps develop a strong work ethic. If you invest time and hours in studying, you’ll succeed. Your studies should take priority in your time-management schedule.” In fact, Chris likens JFCA’s program to West Point’s Thayer Method, which promotes independent study and daily work assignments, as well as small class sizes conducive for discussion.
Chris also appreciates the JFCA “administration’s investment in each student, and the overall interaction with students.” As for the faculty, “JFCA teachers are approachable. They know all their students by name, they care about their students, and they want each to be successful.” At JFCA, Chris played on the football team and swam for the swim team – both teams won state championships this year, and this spring he’s on the soccer team. He also serves as an officer in the National Honor Society.
JFCA’s accommodating structure enabled Chris to take advantage of the many dual enrollment options, both on campus and off. This past fall, he took all college courses off campus; this spring, he’s back on campus taking visual arts, a statistics course to keep him engaged with math, and an online economics course. He’ll be graduating this May with an impressive 43 college credits to his name.
Chris says the United States Military Academy is his “dream school. If I hadn’t gotten in this time, I’d keep re-applying until I did, as long as it took.” He’s looking forward to joining the camaraderie of the Corps of Cadets and studying military science. Engineering studies is an interest for him, and he’s also intrigued by West Point’s biometrics program. But he’s keeping an open mind to see what best suits him. He’s also planning to try out for football. However, his main goal is “earning the right to be heard. Everyone at West Point is a leader. I want to do West Point right and serve those around me. No shortcuts.”
After Chris graduates from the United State Military Academy, he’ll be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army infantry. First, he’ll go through Officer Basic Training, and then he’ll take charge of an infantry platoon. He’s considering Ranger School, too.
Right now, though, Chris is looking forward to serving as a student-leader on a church mission trip to Peru in April and to his graduation in May. In early June, he will enjoy a one-week Young Life sailing trip in the Bahamas. He reports to West Point on June 27, Reception Day.
The foundation for Chris’s commitment to West Point and everything it symbolizes comes down to two concepts: “I believe every citizen should serve the United States in his or her own way” and I believe in “servant leadership. You can’t make an impact unless you’re helping others. I’m more than happy to be the guy who steps up.”
Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, an accredited, University-Model® school, prepares students for life academically, spiritually, and relationally in a vibrant community atmosphere with a uniquely flexible schedule. The JFCA community offers students an active school culture, rich with opportunities for growth and achievement via intentional programs, clubs, activities, and leadership and service options.
