Some people are destined to follow their family’s tradition. This was definitely the case for Patrick Sanders. Sanders, 19, is a private first class in the U.S. Army.

Parents James and Rhonda Sanders, who live in Miamisburg, have both served in the military.

Sanders completed basic training and advanced individual training concurrently. The program was six months long.

He will attend Airborne School in March for three weeks. He is also pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and has set goals for his military career.

“I want to go into PSD (personal security detail),” Sanders said. “It’s almost like the Secret Service. You protect former presidents, generals and foreign nationals.”

He wants to work 15 to 20 years in the military.

“I’m hoping to do police work after the Army, maybe even be a federal agent,” he said. “I’m outgoing and have a lot of patience, which you need to be in the military service. It is like no other job out there. I am away from my family and away from what I am used to. It is really hard sometimes.”

Branch of service, rank, years in service: U.S. Army, private first class, one year of service

How person got involved in the military: “My dad was Air Force for 30 years and my brother has been in the Army for the last 10 years. I thought it would be a great thing to do.”

What actions he performed: “I’m a military police officer, so I patrol Fort Bragg, where I’m stationed (in North Carolina). I do the same job as any other police officer.”

Most satisfying part about the person’s work: “I keep the soldiers that protect America safe, as well as the civilians that work on the base.”

Most memorable moment of service: “I responded to a domestic dispute involving a husband and wife. The wife was beaten and she was hospitalized in critical condition. While we were there, the husband tried to stab me and my partner. We took him down and he is serving time at Leavenworth (a U.S. military prison in Kansas).”

Why Sanders is a hero: “When you put on a uniform and serve the public, it is self sacrificing,” said his mother, Rhonda Sanders. “There is a calling to go into it and Patrick was very set on doing this. He could have done anything, and he chose a position, knowing he will deploy and put himself in harm’s way.”