He’s only 17, but he has the courage and the determination of someone way beyond his years.

Meet Nick Kruger. On September 11, 2001, he witnessed on TV how a plane crashed into the World Trade Center. He was then in fifth grade, but those images probably never left him as he eventually faced the school board and requested to graduate a full year early – because he wants to be a SEAL.

Reading his story, one could not help but feel admiration for this young man. He reportedly told the school board that he wanted to be “part of a team that is greater than myself – to help in this War on Terror and to help (those who live in oppressive societies) achieve their freedom.” These are such big words for a lad of 17 whose peers may very well be thinking only of where to go next weekend or how to pass the next Calculus exam. They probably wouldn’t even dream of missing prom.

If everyone his age would only think the way he did, then this world will be in such good hands.

Nick is on his way to making his dreams come true. The school’s board members must have been impressed as they unanimously approved his request – approved by everyone present at that meeting, that is, as one board member was absent. Since he will not turn 18 until February next year, his parents had to sign his enlistment forms so that he can start training in the fall.

No one can say that he can’t make it, at least for now. The physical exams he has taken thus far indicate that he has what it takes. They weren’t all perfect, but he’s off to a good start. The physical challenge, after all, is only one part of being a SEAL. As far as courage goes, Nick Kruger seems to have enough of it.

According to record, the youngest person to become a SEAL is Scott Helvenston, who was allowed to participate in the US Navy SEALs training in 1982 at the age of 17.