Been There, Done That: Joining the Army
Been There, Done That: Joining the Army
By Laurelin Haas
Above: Brandon Ounlokham and Donovon Whisler.
Brandon Ounlokham, MHS alumni, graduated from high school only last year. In 2008, Ounlokham joined the Army National Guard, and he now lives in Muscatine.
Q: Why did you decide to join the military?
A: College money and the job training; and then with my job, I get a top secret clearance which will get me more jobs later on.
Q: How long, prior to joining, had you wanted to enlist?
A: Probably only six months before. It’s important to think it over because it’s a big commitment.
Q: Were you supported in your decision?
A: My parents no, but my sisters yeah. My parents didn’t want me to – just the chance of dying, of deployment, and being away for a long time was scary to them.
Q: How much free time do you have?
A: A ton of free time because I only drill one weekend a month, but before we had twelve hour days starting at 5:00 AM and going to 5 o’clock.
Q: What’s the easiest part of being in the military?
A: Weekend drills because our training before that was really long. It took eight months for me to get back here, and you work out every day, too.
Q: What’s the hardest part?
A: Just being able to get through basic training because it’s mental and physical strength, being able to get through our advanced jobs. My job was one of the longest courses they had. I pretty much try to predict what the enemy is going to do, so they want to make sure I know what to do because it’s people lives if I mess up.
Q: What would you change, if you were given the chance?
A: It wasn’t bad enough to change anything. You learn a lot and accomplish more than you ever thought you could.
Q: Did you have to balance your time?
A: Military’s all about time management. If they tell you to be somewhere, ten minutes early is on time. That’s why a watch is part of the uniform. Now that I’m back here, though, I don’t really have to balance my time.
Q: How has joining the military impacted your life?
A: I don’t have to pay for college now. I can get trainingand it gets me college credits for random things you wouldn’t think you’d get college credit for, like my job, Intel analyst, and basic training. I got thirty credits for just doing my job – that’s a whole year of college.
Q: What’s the biggest benefit from joining?
A: Just getting my college paid for, and then they pay you a certain amount each month just for being a student – and you’ll always have your job in the military. You’ll never be unemployed.
Q: What is the biggest drawback?
A: It just takes up a lot of your time, and it’s like a structured life. The whole day has to be planned out.
Q: What are your thoughts on the future? Where do you see this career leading to in the future?
A: Since I have a top secret clearance, I’ll probably get a job as a contractor – as in contract with the government. I’ll probably go to school and get a degree, and then they can do what they want with me after that.
Q: How do you feel your decision to enlist affected those around you?
A: Everyone doesn’t mind it now, but my sisters especially are worried about me all the time.
Q: What advice would you give to high school students that want to join?
A: Make sure you research it, and make sure you want to do it because it’s a big commitment. Once you enlist, there’s no turning back.
