Sacrifice and resilience are words that hold a deep significance to senior Sohil Purohit. Growing up with both of his parents serving in the US Navy, he understands the characteristics required to dedicate oneself to their country.

After years of witnessing his parents’ commitment to the military, he has decided to follow in their footsteps and apply for the Service Academies.

The United States Service Academies are undergraduate education and training for the United States Armed Forces. Purohit specifically applied to the United States Naval Academy, West Point, and the Air Force.  His top choice is the Naval Academy, and he attended their annual Summer Seminar this past June.

Purohit’s experience with the military began in 2012 when his family moved from Indiana to Illinois to commission as officers in the Navy. At the time, he had little knowledge of the kind of commitment his parents were making, and the sacrifices they would have to make for their country, as well as their family.

“It was a biweekly occasion where one of my parents would be traveling to different states to fulfill their duties as Naval Officers. At some point of time I learned how to embrace the void of not having my parents around,” he said. “That had been going on for around five years until my dad was ordered to deploy to Bahrain for nine months as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.”

Purohit describes the year of his father’s deployment as one of his “toughest years,” as his family also moved from Highland Park to Lake Forest.

“That’s when I realized that their service is not just a job but a way of life. By putting the needs of others before your own even when you are required time away from your own family. I built up a quiet but powerful strength that they instilled in me—resilience,” Purohit said.

Kailash Purohit, Sohil’s father, describes Sohil’s upbringing as a “learning experience,” since his parents were constantly traveling all around the world.

“He developed a deep sense of responsibility, discipline, and independence to take care of himself and others. We are incredibly proud of the responsible and compassionate human Sohil is,” Kailash Purohit said.

Because his parents were constantly balancing their service, professional commitments, and family commitments, Purohit’s childhood was often challenging. However, his father says that these challenges have made him the person he is today.

“I was deployed for nine months to the Middle East when Sohil was in middle school. Seeing his dad deploy as a 10-year-old was not easy. I think it was a trying time for him, but his personality as a responsible individual started to shine through and it is a joy to see Sohil develop into a compassionate, measured and truly caring individual,” Kailash Purohit said.

Purohit’s father’s many deployments have had significant impacts on his character and on his family. During his father’s absences, his family had a tradition of writing letters to him in order to feel connected during difficult times.

“Sitting at the kitchen table with my mom, I would spill my heart out on paper, telling him about my day or the things I was too afraid to express. His response served as a reminder to me that love could cross seas at any distance. Those letters became treasures, folded and refolded until the edges unraveled, symbolizing how we held onto each other even when apart.”

Observing how his parents serve their country taught him about sacrifice in a way that not many people get the opportunity to experience.

“I saw the exhaustion in their eyes after long days and the pride they carried in their work. It taught me that true commitment isn’t glamorous—it’s brutal, relentless, and often unacknowledged,” Purohit said. “But it’s also deeply fulfilling, and that lesson drives me to serve others in different ways, such as community service and its impact on others.”

Although growing up with both of his parents in the Navy wasn’t always easy, Purohit remembers the pride he felt when people would ask what his parents did for a living and appreciates the significance of their commitments.

“They weren’t just parents but also heroes in uniform, willing to sacrifice themselves for something greater than themselves,” Purohit said. “That pride, however, often came with quiet moments of longing, moments where we were uncertain of what would come forth. Those absences taught me the value of cherishing the time we had together.”

Being raised in a Navy family influenced every aspect of Purohit’s character and the person he is today.

“I learned the value of service, resilience, and adaptability from it. I developed a strong sense of pride and duty after seeing my parents lead with integrity and gracefully handle adversity.”

Janene Kessler, Director of Bands, has been Purohit’s teacher for four years, and has helped him tremendously through his application process.

She believes Purohit is an “ideal candidate” for the Service Academies and ROTC scholarships due to his work ethic and strong character.

“He is the best kind of leader—one who leads by example and by serving others—he knows when to speak up and when to follow the leadership of others,” Kessler said. “He shows disciplined commitment and dedication to music, academics, and athletics, and is one of the kindest and most sincere people I know. I imagine that growing up in a military family has helped to develop these qualities and give him insight into the challenges and rewards of military service.”

Kessler is proud of the person Purohit has become, and that people like him desire to serve our country.

“It has been my pleasure to provide recommendation letters throughout this process because he is such an impressive young man and it gives me great confidence to know that students with his intelligence, curiosity, discipline, and strong interpersonal skills are pursuing careers in our armed services,” Kessler said. “I have much respect and admiration for Sohil and the goals he has set for himself.”

In his life, he is determined to dedicate himself to his country and use his experiences growing up to make him stronger in his possible future in the military.

“These experiences strengthened my dedication to leading, serving, and upholding the principles that formed the basis of my upbringing. I hope to uphold my parents’ legacy and embody their demonstrated values through leadership positions, academic endeavors, or community service,” Purohit said.

This story was originally published on The Forest Scout on December 11, 2024.