BLOOMINGTON -- Last year Allison Kruse felt she had hit a dead end. College wasn't hard, but it wasn't for her.
When it came time to make a change, she chose the Marine Corps.
"I lost my ambition," said Kruse, a 20-year-old Huron, S.D., native. "I only declared a new major twice, but I thought about changing it a lot more. I had no idea what I wanted to be."
A few months after choosing to follow in her family's footsteps, Allison found herself raising her right hand and reciting the oath of enlistment to her older brother.
"Watching her take that step changed my perception where I no longer think of her as just my baby sister," said Sgt. Adam Kruse, who enlisted Allison out of the Woodbury, Minn., office.
Some parents might be apprehensive about their daughter's decision to serve, but Allison's mother only experienced a feeling of pride.
"I wasn't shocked or surprised," said Kris Perry. "I promoted the concept gently since they were little, because the military is near and dear to my heart. I know that both of them will be far better off than if they had never enlisted."
Aspiring Marines spend on average three to six months in the Delayed Entry Program before leaving for recruit training. However, Allison boarded a plane to Parris Island, S.C., a week later.
"They needed the spot filled and I didn't have a reason to stay," she explained.
Following her four-hour flight, Allison faced 13 weeks of physically and mentally rigorous challenges.
"To be honest ... boot camp sucked," laughed Allison. "I don't like change and this was the biggest change I had ever made. There were even a few times where I thought about quitting, but I knew I couldn't live with myself if I did."
Allison's brother on the other hand never doubted she would earn her eagle, globe and anchor.
"She knew that boot camp wasn't the Marine Corps," explained Adam, a 26-year-old construction wireman. "It's the stepping stone to become a Marine and achieve what most aren't willing to pursue."
Upon finishing a month-long stint at Marine Combat Training, Allison said she's focused and ready for to begin the next chapter of her Marine Corps career.
"I want to hit the ground running," said Allison. "If I can accomplish what my brother has done then I'll be happy."
Allison is currently going to school in Twentynine Palms, Calif., to become a radar technician and will graduate in May.
"The possibilities are endless," she said. "Maybe I'll do four, maybe I'll do 20. We'll just have to wait and see."