Profile of two Airport alumnae’s military service
By Savannah C.
For many students, deciding what you want to do after high school can be stressful and scary. Some may choose to attend a two or four-year school. Some students decide to go right into the workforce, some take a gap year, and some decide to serve their country.
While making a decision like joining the military can be scary, it is important to remember that many former students are doing it to better themselves and the world around them. Joining the military comes with gaining a lot of helpful benefits for the future.
In our school, many recruiters come in and reach out to students who they feel as though would succeed in this environment. Recruiters from the South Carolina Army National Guard are seen the most around Airport High School. They are here to make the process much smoother, and are around to make the decision much easier.
In order to make this decision, you must meet with one of the many recruiters, take and pass your ASVAB test, which is offered at Airport High School, or a local recruiting office. Once you have passed your ASVAB, you are given a list of jobs you would qualify for, based on your score. This is your potential MOS, also known as your job in the military. If you have a different job in mind, you also have the ability to get a waiver. Most of the time, from here you are taken to MEPS. That is where you are given your physical examination and fill out the rest of your paperwork. You are sworn in, and are now ready to become a soldier.
Once all the proper requirements are met, you are given a choice as to when you would like your ship-out date to be. Some soldiers may leave as soon as they graduate, and some feel as though they would like a little bit more quality time with their loved ones.
Basic Training is usually the same amount of time for all soldiers, you must spend 10 weeks working through rigorous training, you can be sent anywhere in the United States. It is all determined by your MOS. After you spend your 10 weeks through basic training, you must complete AIT. This is Advanced Individual Training. This is where you learn how to complete your specific job. The difference between Basic Training and AIT is, you are allowed more free time during your AIT/OSUT. OSUT is One site unit training OSUT combines Basic Training with AIT and is held at the same base, so you don’t need to travel in between. AIT is more relaxed, and more focused on the individual, rather than the group. Many can say they are treated more as a person, as opposed to a trainee. AIT is considered to be more peaceful, you will still experience having a roommate, just less than what basic training offers.
When asked about her experience, why she decided to join the military, and what the hardest challenge she has faced, recent AHS graduate Hazia B. (‘24) said, “When people say the army is mentally challenging, they are telling the truth. I would say that the physical part is more mental than you would think it is. If you were to hold a plank, your mind will tell you that you cannot go anymore, but your body can. It was mentally challenging, sleeping in the woods, ruck and corrective action was crucial in building me into a better soldier. I decided to join the military to help my mom and I out of a tough situation, I also wanted the benefits in helping me go to college. The hardest challenge was, leaving my family and friends and watching them experience their life while I was viewing it over the phone. Creating bonds with people was also challenging, due to having to be separated from them.”
When asked what advice she would give, Hazia B. said, “Be at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform. You can make friends, but don’t make that the whole reason why you are there. Focus on the good, and remember why you are wanting to join.”
Hazia is currently a part of The South Carolina Army National Guard, she enlisted December 21st, 2023 as an 88 M, this is Motor Transport Operators, they are in charge of operating and supervising tactical vehicles. They learn how to dispatch these vehicles, and organize convoys. Hazia completed 10 weeks of basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and is currently completing 6 weeks of AIT. Hazia has experienced many different changes throughout her time being gone. Once she arrives home, she will spend a weekend out of each month, and two weeks out of the summer serving in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Not everyone has the same military experience but it is evident that the feelings felt toward the experience are pretty similar. When asked about her experience in the military, and journey through basic training, AHS Senior, Mione B. a said, “The opportunity to join actually came to me while I was at a pretty low point in my life, I met with my recruiter for the first time in the library and we just spoke about everything the army could do for me. One thing that caught my attention was immigration benefits. Hearing what it could do to my parents who were born outside the country, I felt like I had to but also because I really wanted that for my parents. To this day I reminisce about being there in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I was a little nervous at first to go so far, because I felt the majority of the people I knew were going to Fort Jackson. But, I’m so glad that I got to go there. I met new people on just the first day and became friends with them. There are people from all over the United States, and many varieties of personalities. I will say that all of basic training felt so unreal, because it is something you could never truly experience in the civilian world. I learned so many new things I never thought I would be able to do. I learned how to shoot a weapon, and qualify with it, throw a grenade, and went through the gas chamber. I learned land navigation which is pretty awesome.”
For Mione, she didn’t always intend on joining the military, but was inspired by a close friend who dreamed of joining since she was little, she learned a lot of useful information based on their conversations. She has been able to keep in contact with the friends she has made. Mione left for basic training over the summer, and is now back in time for her senior year. Once she graduates, she will complete her AIT.
The advice that Mione would give to any students looking into joining the military is, “Just do it. You meet so many new people, and for me the benefits aren't even the most of it. You can get fit, learn to be disciplined, attention to detail, and so many great things that could change you, and make you a better person. Joining doesn’t mean you are stuck there forever. You have the choice to reenlist and continue, or if you don't think it's for you then you can stop once your contracts are over.”
While the military may not be the best option for everyone, it is evident that it most definitely comes with a lot of good benefits, it's important to remember that whatever choice you make in life, should be for you, and the bettering of your future. If you are looking into learning more about the military, your options vary from Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard.
If you are interested in learning about a branch a little closer to home, the South Carolina Army National Guard, you can visit, https://www.scguard.ng.mil/.