Military Leadership Alumni: Grant Boyes, ’22

Written by Grant Boyes, ’22

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I am originally from Twinsburg, Ohio, and graduated in the Class of 2022. I majored in politics and minored in classical education. At Hillsdale, I was the head resident assistant in Simpson Dorm, a part of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary, a member of A Few Good Men, and I played on the rugby team. I was voted Outstanding Senior Man for the Class of 2022.

I commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on May 7, 2022. After I graduated from The Basic School in May 2023, I was designated a Low Altitude Air Defense officer (7204). I received orders to 2d LAAD Battalion in Cherry Point, North Carolina. At The Basic School, my essay on Once an Eagle won the company essay contest and will be published in an upcoming Marine Corps Gazette.

While a student at Hillsdale College, I had the opportunity to take several Military Leadership courses that prepared me for officership. Military Leadership laid the cornerstone for me as a young officer. This class helped me to understand the character and knowledge required to be a platoon commander. Reading Once an Eagle was an excellent study of a “must-read” American military classic. The class introduced me to a literary role model—Sam Damon—and helped me form my ideas about the profession of arms. Reading Killer Angels provided an in-depth study of another military classic. This class explained not only the history of Gettysburg but explored the very real and present human character of the men that fought there. Overall, the leadership classes I took at Hillsdale College taught me the deeper truth and ultimate mark of a true leader: character. While technical proficiency and tactical prowess matter, good leaders must possess the desire, love, and knowledge of the right things. The Military Leadership program prepares its future officers as students to pursue this selfless life.