19 Years and Counting

Today marks 19 years that I have been in the Minnesota Army National Guard. I joined a little later than the average Soldier at the age of 22 (yes, do the math). At the time I had already lived on my own, gone to college and held various jobs. I joined for job experience and I remember thinking that my initial contract of six years was a long time.

Fort Dix, New Jersey was the setting for my basic training. My battle buddy, Connie, was an African American from the south. She was a beautiful lady with a beautiful voice. I remember the night before we graduated, she was cutting her braids off in the latrine. When I asked her what she was doing, she just laughed and said, “Oh Kris, this isn’t my real hair!” I’ll never forget my shock at finding out about hair extensions that day.

On the day of graduation, we stood on the parade field and as we went through the ceremony, I knew at that moment that I would stay in for 20 years. Hard to believe it’s almost here. Long ago, it quit being for the job experience and ever since then, it has been so much more. The irony of the this is, I graduated on 2 August 1990; the day Iraq invaded Kuwait.

Other than being here, I wish I could slow down the time. I’ve had some incredible experiences while being in the military from going to Guatemala, Norway and Croatia to the jobs I’ve held and the people I’ve met. I would have never finished my degree if it hadn’t been for needing it to get promoted to Captain. As challenging as the process was for me to finish my degree, (I still hate math) it remains one of my proudest moments since it was so painful to get there…19 years from start to finish.

I remember someone asking me why I would stay in the military now that I have a child. How could I not? It means more to me now than ever before. As difficult as it is to be away from my daughter, it is for her continued freedom that I remain a Soldier.