My Proud Decision to Join the National Guard

Photo Illustration by Sage Nenyue| VOX Staff

By Stephanie Smith| VOX Staff

One hot day last May, I made one of the most honorable choices of my life. I decided to contact a recruitment officer about joining the Army National Guard.

I received a recruitment card in the mail last year, but my attitude about it was nonchalant. There is no way I’m joining the military, I thought to myself.

The white card was simple in design, but included so much useful information that it persuaded me to at least consider joining the Guard. In black ink, the headline read: “Loyalty that’s truly remarkable …” The words were very encouraging and made me feel that by joining I’d be expressing my loyalty to my country and to myself. The words also suggested that by enlisting in the Guard, I would not only be serving my country, community and protecting freedom, but I would also have the opportunity to learn job skills and prepare for the real world. I placed the card near my computer because I knew it could be an option in the future. I couldn’t decide at the moment if I would enlist.

While the first card was convincing, it wasn’t until I received another card in the mail that I was seriously persuaded me to join. It was at the end of the school year, and the timing was just right.

Despite my fear that the operator would use an intimidating military attitude toward me, I mustered up enough courage to make “the call.” It was my fourth call. The day before, I made three attempts to speak with an operator about enlisting, but each time I hung up when I heard the voice on the other end. I was very nervous.

“Thank you for calling 1-800-GO-GUARD, how may I assist you today?” the operator answered in a friendly tone. She was nothing like I had expected. It felt great to successfully make that fourth call.

“I would like my recruiter’s contact information please,” I answered. By the end of our conversation, I’d gotten all the information I needed for the next step. I was still a little nervous, but I called the recruiter right away. He asked for my basic information, like my name, age and expected graduation date. He also wanted to know why I was interested in joining the Guard. I told him I wanted to join because I would make a great contribution to the United States as a member of the Army National Guard, and to me, serving my country is a wonderful thing.

After the quick phone interview, we agreed on a time and date for me to visit the nearest Army base to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The ASVAB is a general knowledge placement test that must be taken before you can enlist into the National Guard. To enlist, I needed to score at least 30 points. But I was told that I would have as many chances as I needed to pass the test. I wasn’t nervous about taking the test; I just had a feeling that the test would be long, which it was. I scored a 42 on my first try. I was very excited because I exceeded the minimum score needed and I couldn’t wait to see what my next step would be.

After I passed the test, my recruiter set up a time for me to return to the local Army base to receive a full medical exam. During the medical exam, the doctors made sure I was physically fit for enlisting. The physician tested my blood, hearing and eyes.

My recruiter also helped me choose a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) based on my ASVAB score. The MOS is the job that I will perform as an active member of the Guard once I’ve completed monthly drills. The occupation I chose was Health Supply Specialist. I will be required to attend monthly drills until I am shipped off to Basic Training/Boot Camp next June, after I’ve graduated from high school. My recruiter told me that Basic Training would help prepare me mentally and physically with the skills needed to perform as a Health Supply Specialist.

I have been a member of the Guard since June, and I really enjoy it. It is everything I expected — very strict and strenuous. My monthly drills are held at Dobbins Reserve Base (the closest to my home), and they only last one weekend out of every month. The drills consist of basic body-building activities, like stretching and running.

The benefits of joining The National Guard are great, including an enlistment bonus (ranging from $15,000-$20,000 based on the MOS), life insurance, a retirement plan and 100 percent of college tuition. While the rewards are exciting, what matters to me most is that I can stand up for my country and honor those who have died while standing up for us.

Stephanie is a senior at Carver High and is ready to graduate and attend college.