So, it's been a LONG while since I've posted because I've been extremely busy! Unfortunately I don't have the statistics on me from the MSSGM 2011 School, but I'll post about it as soon as I get that information. I wanted to let you know what's been keeping me occupied the past few months.
I've always had great respect for our men and women in the military - I always cry at patriotic services and I can't help but feel great pride when I see our Nation's flag. Joining the military has always (well, probably since my junior year of high school) been in the back of my mind.
I graduated from high school in 2002 and thought about joining the military at that time, but it was right after 9-11 so I decided not to. I went to Marshall to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism. My plan was to be a foreign correspondent. I wanted to travel, to see the action but not to be a part of it. My dreams of a career in broadcast ended after talking to a veteran news reporter who'd covered all kinds of interesting stories (Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, death of Martin Luther King, Jr).
I changed my major to Communications, switched universities and finished my degree. I worked for a few months then went back to school for my master's degree. I finished that one in May 2009, and I still didn't feel complete. There was still that voice in my head that said "military". So I researched my options and enlisted in August 2010 with the WV Air National Guard. I left for BMT in August 2011 and graduated Sept. 30, 2011.
BMT was challenging, both mentally and physically. It was an intersting experience that I'll always remember. As a 27-year old, mentally I was better prepared than some of the younger ones who'd never been away from home. Overall, I enjoyed BMT - I got to make a lot of memories (fire an M-16, camp out in a tent on mock deployment, even the gas chamber was fun) that I'll treasure. I also made several new friends that I hope to have for a lifetime.
So, I'm back in the saddle - the real world now. Well, I'm in Technical School, and it's time to get MSSGM back on track! We've got a lot of ideas for the approaching year and look forward to singing with you soon!
