Most seniors choose to go to college or trade school, while others enter the workforce. But Tanner Zalar has his sights set on the Army.
Zalar officially signed up for the Army last year after a camping trip, and he graduated from basic training last August.
“My whole life, I wanted to do something in the Army, but last summer I was on a camping trip, and that was when I decided to join,” Zalar said. “I swore in on March 10, 2025, and I graduated basic training on Aug. 15 of 2025.”
Military service runs in his family.
“I’ve always wanted to serve and be a part of something bigger than myself, and my dad and stepmom did it,” Zalar said.
During his time at Baldwin, Zalar has been on the track and swim teams. He credits these experiences as good preparation for the Army.
“Although the Army isn’t an official team sport like football or basketball, the Army is still a team sport in the sense of not being about an individual, but rather being part of a team,” Zalar said. “Athletics helped me with teamwork and leadership, and everything I gained will help me.”
Senior Madeline Grattan has been teammates with Zalar since their time on the middle school cross country team, and she has seen Tanner grow over the years.
“He is not afraid to take charge when others need help or direction,” Grattan said. “He does not give up on his goals.”
Junior Nathan Loshelder has been on the swim team with Zalar for two years, and sees the same traits that Grattan does.
“Tanner tries his best to be an excellent example for everyone on the team,” Loshelder said. “He creates a good mood, but stays locked in on getting better and growing.”
Loshelder also said Zalar acts as a mentor for the underclassmen on the swim team.
“I think the underclassmen see him as a person of dedication and persistence, someone who will do whatever it takes to win and get his team to victory,” Loshelder said.
Grattan agreed.
“They look up to him because he’s a good person with a strong work ethic,” Grattan said.
Loshelder noted Zalar’s determination to learn and persistence, whether he is trying to improve on his swimming technique or his mental game.
“He has an excellent work ethic, and he consistently tries to improve while learning from everyone and anything that he meets or encounters,” Loshelder said.
Following the conclusion of this school year, Zalar will begin training for his MOS, or military occupational specialty.
Zalar doesn’t plan to stop there. He plans to start training for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualifying Course, and ultimately enter the Special Forces.
“I’m leaving on July 1 for advanced individual training for my MOS, and then when I come home, I’m going to train to go through the SFAS, and the SFQC,” Zalar said.
Grattan said Zalar has many good qualities he can carry over from track and cross country into the Army.
“He can transfer his work ethic and discipline from distance running to the military,” Grattan said.
Loshelder is also excited to see what Zalar can bring to strengthen the Army.
“I think that him being such a tri-athlete can help him thrive in the military, and his skills in swimming can help him greatly in many aspects of the military,” Loshelder said.
