Lincoln's Challenge cadets' lives change one day at a time
It's 0500, still dark outside on the former Chanute Air Force Base, when Clyde Greyer climbs out of his bunk to start the day.
The high school dropout, now 17, volunteered for this second chance to get a diploma, and he pays the price by marching several miles a day, every day.
He studies and does homework. He puts "Sir" at the end of every sentence, he goes to bed at 8:30 each night and if he messes up – he goes home.
It's called the Lincoln's Challenge Academy, an Illinois National Guard program that gives dropouts – both men and women – a swift kick to get a new start in life. More than 10,000 young people have graduated from the program since it was established in 1993.
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