Oklahoma Army National Guard recruiters see many different types of applicants that want to join the National Guard for the great benefits and the opportunity to serve their country. Jason Spaulding hails from Buffalo, Oklahoma where he is homeschooled. The requirements are the same for Spaulding as they are for someone who attends public school.
“I decided to join around the age of 15. I have had a lot of family members serve in the military and I want to be the first in my generation to serve to better myself and help others. I always had a thought about being in the military and I am finally living in it,” said Spaulding. “I have to work as hard as I would in a brick-and-mortar school. It requires mainly what brick and mortar schools require, but it takes a lot to stay motivated and to get schoolwork done to stay at the required pace or ahead.”
The recruiting process was a little longer for Spaulding, but he got through it and has a date for basic training.
“To be honest, for me it was quite a long road. I had open heart surgery at the age of four years old and had to get multiple tests and scans completed to make sure that I was fully capable of handling the stress and pressure that will be put on me,” said Spaulding. “I am currently in RSP or Recruit Sustainment Program which basically gets recruits ready for basic training.”
Once done with boot camp, Spaulding will serve with Bravo Company 1/179 based out of Vance Air Force Base near Enid. Spaulding will be an 11B or Infantryman with the National Guard.
“I am still in the deciding process of going to college. I am not sure if I will or will not be going to college. I will most likely decide on a technical college for diesel mechanics. If I do go to college, it will be for criminal justice to become a law enforcement officer,” said Spaulding. I was looking into different options depending on how it would plan out in my future. “I looked into 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic since I have been in a family of mechanics, but I decided to go with 11B Infantrymen due to the benefits it provides my future career choice for law enforcement. I could follow in my grandfathers footsteps who was a deputy and a sheriff in New Mexico for almost 20 years.”
The future infantryman offers this advice to anyone considering the National Guard.
“I would say follow your dreams and do what you want to do. All it takes is a good mental approach. The hardest part to go through is your head. So, if you can keep yourself motivated to better yourself, you will also help others. You can do anything in this world as long as you have an ‘I can do it”, mentality.”
