He had lined up the scholarships he needed by doing so well on Crater High School's wrestling team.

He would go to Southern Oregon University and get a business degree. Then he would open up his own business.

He wasn't sure whether the business would be manufacturing-based or service-oriented. But he knew it would be small: just himself and a couple of employees.

That was the plan.

"I was ready to go," Griffin says. "But as it got closer, I decided college wasn't for me."

At least not now. He has put in 13 years in the classroom and wanted something different.

In the past few months of his senior year, Griffin found a new direction. He'll be heading to San Diego this summer for U.S. Marine Corps boot camp.

He gets his Crater diploma in ceremonies tonight.

He plans to spend the next few years -- at least -- in the Marines, working in aviation support.

Then maybe he'll be ready for college. Or, maybe he'll decide to make the military his career.

He follows military actions in Yugoslavia these days, making an effort not allow that war to influence his direction. He tries to distance himself from the prospect of fighting a war himself.

Air support, he notes, is more of a rescue operation.

Besides, he says, "We've always been neck-and-neck with someone.

"I don't really let that bother me. If I do end up fighting a war, whatever happens, God meant it to happen."

Chad says he chose the Marines because he could still keep college an option and earn money for the tuition.

He considered each of the service branches, but ultimately picked the corps because of the physical challenges it presents.

"I gave a lot of thought to it," he says. "I wanted to do it. I'm looking forward to it."

He says he's even looking forward to the rigors of boot camp.

"I'm more of a physical person," he says, "and I'm pretty disciplined."

Griffin says he's eager to find out just how well his habits and training stand up.

He enters the Marines with a strong local record. He has been a part of the Crater wrestling team for the past two years -- a team that in both years won the Oregon championship crown.

This year Griffin and two other seniors had the honor of being co-captains of the team.

He says he has thrived on the combination of physical and mental challenge the sport offers. Obviously, a wrestler has be be in top physical form. But physical strength and stamina alone doesn't win matches.

"You have to have the mental focus," Griffin says.

He also liked the individual aspect of the sport. Wrestlers are part of a team, helping and supporting one another. But they also work alone and have to rely on their own strength and skill.

Athletics have been Griffin's favorite all through high school, and coach Greg Haga his favorite teacher.

"I never took too well to math," he admits.

He is looking toward leaving Central Point with mixed emotions. He is happy about the travel the Marine life promises, noting that he has been told he could wind up in Japan for training.

Yet he knows he'll miss family and friends in his home town. He grew up in Central Point, and has known his best friend since second grade.

And he'll probably miss Crater, too.