MILLERSVILLE, Pennsylvania –
DLA Distribution commander Army Brig. Gen. Richard Dix met with approximately 300 Penn Manor High School students, during two assemblies, to discuss their futures on May 20.
Dix discussed using the “Five Year Plan,” a counseling tool used by the Department of the Army, to guide their education and professional development. He was able to explain the plan in a way that allowed the ninth and 10th grade students to map out their next five years culminating at the end of their freshman and sophomore years of college.
Understanding that this generation is extremely visually inclined, Dix explained to the students that when he was coming out of high school computers were not available to the masses. However, he had his five year plan written out on paper.
Stressing the importance of developing more than one plan in the event something does not work out, Dix used personal experiences to drive the point home to the students. “It is important to include your dream job on the chart, as it gives you something to work toward. But have other goals, in the event of setbacks.”
Additionally, Dix advised the students to take both the SAT and ACT to provide for more options as they look to their future goals.
“Your future is not about anyone else,” explained Dix. “I only ask that you to grow up to be everything you want to be.”