Will train at West Point and Ft. Knox

Like most young boys, Tyler Barnhart always played “army” in the woods around his house.

Now, he’s in the Army, and it’s all he ever dreamed, and more. The son of Sgt. Paul and Laurie Barnhart, Cadet Barnhart grew up in a military family. His father served previously in the Marine Corps, and just finished three years in the Army Reserves, including one year in Iraq. He and his family, including sisters Stephanie and Danielle, moved to Carnation in 2000.

Barnhart joined the Army Reserves at 17, prior to his senior year at Cedarcrest, and attended weekly trainings through the delayed entry program. His Senior Project was to job-shadow his Army recruiter, Sgt. Babesh. He then began the application process for colleges and scholarships. His appointment to the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Washington State University in the spring of 2004 included a full-ride scholarship for four years.

ROTC students carry a full load of college classes, plus military science classes each quarter, with labs in the evening, and weekend training.

Barnhart has not only completed his requirements, he has excelled. Barnhart was named Washington State University ROTC Cadet of the Year, and was the only WSU cadet assigned to West Point and Ft. Knox for a 6-week training this summer. While there he will participate in an intense advanced leadership and field training.

He was recognized for this and other achievements at a ceremony at WSU. He also received the Athletic Excellence Award for achieving the highest score possible of 300 (his actual score was 380). High academic scores resulted in being placed on the Dean’s List.

He received an award for Color Guard participation – as the leader of the Color Guard, he carries the American flag at all sports events at WSU, along with raising and lowering the flag daily. And, he was elected­ by his peers as Scott Hall dorm vice president for next year.

“The Army is my life,” said Barnhart. “I want to make a difference.”

He’s making a difference now at the Issaquah Army Reserve Recruiting Office. Every Thursday night he teaches the delayed entry classes where he was a student just three years ago. He develops plans for the new recruits, helping them to get their physical training and academics in order.

“I get a thrill from teaching, it’s fun to see the kids learning,” he said.

The one-hour class often extends for 2 ½ hours because the recruits are so motivated by him.

“He called and volunteered,” said S/Sgt. Terry Hill, U.S. Army recruiter in Issaquah. “He’s at every meeting, teaching everything from first aid to ceremonies.”

Barnhart has lived a life of volunteering. He’s given many hours to others in an assortment of activities. As a high school student, he cut blackberries from the yard at a local women’s shelter, unloaded food for the National Letter Carriers’ food drive, and raised and released pheasants for the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

John Hellman, basketball coach at Calvary Lutheran, was glad for Barnhart’s volunteer spirit when he was injured.

“Tyler had been part of the team through 8th grade,” said Hellman, “when he graduated and began attending Cedarcrest. But he stepped right up” and helped coach the co-ed team until Hellman could resume his duties. “He led by example,” continued Hellman, just like he does with the early morning physical training at WSU, where he sets the pace on runs, and then circles back around to encourage those at the end.

For several years, Barnhart has worked during school and training breaks as a land survey assistant with Core Design in Bellevue.

“He’s progressed from a kid with a machete in the brush, to a young man using sophisticated GPS surveying equipment,” said Rick Eddy, field survey manager.

When speaking about Barnhart’s West Point appointment, Hellman said, “More power to him. I would hate to stand in the way of someone with that much ambition.”

“Cadet Barnhart wants to make as much as he can out of his Army experience,” said S/Sgt. Hill. “He’s all about setting the example, in fitness, and in scholastics. At the end of his four years in ROTC, Barnhart will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.We could use a lot more like him.”