Texas Soldier Q&A
We sat down with three Texas National Guard Soldiers and asked them about life in the military.
How did you decide to join the National Guard?
I knew I was going to enlist into the military since I was 14. I did okay in school, I just knew I didn't enjoy it enough to continue it. Instead of walking the stage to receive my diploma, I had my high school mail it to me. My friends bought cap and gowns, I bought the Ranger Handbook and patches for my uniforms.
The day of my graduation, I was on the bus heading to Fort Benning Georgia for 3 months of basic training and 3 weeks of airborne school. The way I looked at it, I didn't have to worry about finding a place to live, a job, or a way to pay for college - I solved all those issues by joining the Guard.
-Specialist A.
What do you remember about taking the ASVAB?
The ASVAB was mentioned to me by my recruiter, but he didn't really emphasize it. So, I went into it thinking "no big deal". I took it on the computer, but that was a mistake. The computer did not allow you to go back to any questions that you had previously answered. I felt very pressured for time. I scored well enough to join, but I was really disappointed with my score.
After being in for three years, I decided I wanted to raise my ASVAB score. Of all the books that I worked out of, ASVAB For Dummies was the book that helped most to break down every aspect of the ASVAB. I think I studied day and night for 6 straight months. I am a serious procrastinator too, so my commander gave me a push and called the Education Services Office and scheduled a time for me to go down there.
Retaking the test, I was so nervous, I thought for sure I was going to bomb this one just as I did the first time. So after taking the test the second time (and waiting the longest 3 weeks ever to get the results) I raised my score by 24 points!
You have to remember when taking the ASVAB to not freak out and calm down, that it is a test. The first time, I rushed through it so fast. I remember the liaison for the National Guard said to me, "It's only been 45 minutes on a 3 hour allotted test, you are not done." The second time I took the full 3 hours, and did it on paper rather than the computer.
-Specialist T.
military terms: ASVAB
I heard about the ASVAB test from my career counselor in high school, but I didn't take it because I didn't think I needed it to get into the Army. The recruiter had a practice test for me to take, and I did some studying on my own time - went to a few websites to practice and to brush up on my math. They have some study guide books to help you get ready as well.
When I took the ASVAB I felt pretty good about it, but I still didn't think I knew as much as I should. You can always study a little more. My recruiter told me that I needed to get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast, which I did. When I was taking the test I felt pretty confident - I had studied - and was flying through most of the questions. The test was timed so even if you finished before others you still had to wait around for everyone else to finish.
I took the ASVAB in Austin, and since it was 2005, I was thinking that the test was going to be on a computer. I would have preferred that, but instead it was a paper booklet that reminded me of elementary school. The testing room was too crowded to be very comfortable for me.
I sat down and the proctor closed the door and passed out the test as he explained the rules.
After all that preparing I scored fair. I didn't do outstanding but I didn't do badly either. I really wanted to know what other people scored. I thought I was going to do better, but I really didn't need to, to get the job I wanted.
When he got the results, my recruiter called me up and said, "Get ready for Basic." When my recruiter told me that, I felt great, because I knew it was the right place for me. So, I went to the office to sign my paper work and then I prepared for Basic.
- Specialist A.
AIT, Deployment, Drill Sergeant
I didn't think very much about it. I enlisted at Dallas MEPS I took my ASVAB there. I remember the Navy proctors walking around me as I was taking it.
I studied with a practice ASVAB book, which I think helped a lot. I went in there with confidence, but nervous too because I have always hated tests. I got my test results like 30 minutes after I took it, but I didn't do as well as I wanted to.
About a year later I went back and retested so that I could better my score and change my MOS. Not being nervous the second time (because I knew my surroundings and I knew what was coming) really helped me out. Still, I'm glad that it is out of the way
-Sergeant F.
What is the biggest surprise to you about life as a Soldier?
When I went to Basic Training there was so much yelling, and the early mornings were tough. I thought to myself, "What on earth did I get myself into?"
But now, I can't get enough of military life - waking up early in the morning for Physical Training, going to work everyday in uniform. I never thought that I would love it like I do. I used to be the kind of person who would sleep in until the last minute, get ready fast - I was just plain lazy. Now I love being full time National Guard - I'm up and going all the time.
-Specialist T.
military terms: Basic Training
The number of great people - I never thought that I would meet so many life long friends. For me, the journey has been one of a kind. I met my fiance and my best friend here. I know that other Soldiers would tell of other stories. But for me, I live from the people around me, like I feed off their energy. I would never take this experience back, because of them.
In the military, it's like we're a family. When a Soldier in your platoon has their car break down , you know that someone knows how to fix it. (I've never seen so many people that are so handy.) I will never forget the Soldiers that I have served with, they have become a part of my life.
-Sergeant F.
What's the most important thing you've learned from a superior?
One NCO I deployed to Iraq with has been there for me since I joined the Guard. He was the type that would never ask us to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. Even though we ran missions six days a week, we would meet him in the morning on our day off to clean the vehicles. When we showed up, he always had a vehicle on the wash rack and had already started.
When we left Iraq and came home, I needed help finding a job and he was there. I've carried that lesson with me. So, when I received my first phone call from a Soldier that I helped to put in boots, I did anything I could to help her out. I remember her saying she would never forget me. I told her to learn the same lesson I did, because there is always going to be someone who will need help.
-Specialist T.
NCO
Since enlisting, what is the best decision you made?
Switching MOS's. I enlisted in 2001 as an Administrative Assistant, then I switched to Dental Hygienist. I hope to use those skills in the civilian sector as well my Guard career - I love the profession and I have set a goal to become a Pediatric Dentist.
-Sergeant F.
When I was going to through AIT, I decided wanted to go to Iraq and do my part, partly because my father and grandfather both served overseas. I made so many calls to my unit back in Texas to find a deployment. After finding a deployment, I begged my Drill Sergeant to let me leave a week early to go SRC (Solder Readiness Check).
In Iraq, I learned a lot about myself and who I am. I think learning how to be independent while I'm young is setting me up for success in the future. Don't get me wrong, the deployment was long and hard, but I am very glad that I made the decision to go.
-Specialist T.
