Chad Harley was one of the final classmen to graduate from Skyview High School in the spring of 2014. Harley returned to spend the holidays with his family in Soldotna, but this time as Pvt. Chad Harley, U.S. Marine Corp. Hometown Hero, having successfully completed his Marine Corp. basic training. While at Skyview Harley was an outstanding athlete competing well in both football and basketball, “I always liked competition and being physically fit. I saw that the Marine Corp would meet those passions as well as giving me the privilege of serving my country. Combat training for me took me back to the football field and being competitive. My local recruiter had me well prepared for what I experienced with the weekly pool functions like running and workouts that I us know what it would be like when we got to boot camp. I choose the Marine Corp to be part of the best of the best,” Harley told the Dispatch in an interview.

Pvt. Harley says he’s not sure what might be in his future after he completes his commitment to the Marine Corp, “I haven’t been in long enough to know what might be in the long term but wanted to part of the best, know the comradery and learn the skills that are important to employers in the private sector, but I could make a career out of this,” said. The transition from being a high school athlete to becoming U.S. Marine went quickly for Harley, “It seems like the months in-between graduation and now have just flown by. One day I’m graduating from high school and the next I’m graduating from boot camp it’s been a fast experience. I’m looking forward to traveling and seeing the world going to San Diego was getting out of Alaska was a great experience and I’m looking forward to the New Year,” said Hometown Hero Pvt. Chad Harley.