12/22/2023
To say we all had a long day would be an understatement, but I bet they’d agree that it was 1000% worth it! I’ve been slacking with social media, but today has reminded me how important it is to keep recognizing our newest members that joined the Alabama Army National Guard! I was not going to put the 🎩 on, but they insisted. I also feel like I owe these young men and women the world after all the work they put in today to get in boots and take a step closer to secure their future! The three newest members of the ALARNG are listed below:
PVT Tj Bennett (pictured on the left): PVT Bennett took advantage of our 09M program to add 3 more paid weeks to his training to improve his ASVAB scores. This in turn will lead him to more job opportunities he will take advantage of on his 22nd day of training! He will pick his job, graduate Basic Training, and then graduate his Advanced Individual Training for the job that he picked! He just finished his fall semester of college and will return from training to continue pursuing his degree that will be paid for by the ALARNG! He will also receive his Montgomery GI Bill each month while attending school as a full time college student that puts another $466 a month in his pocket! I met with PVT Bennett one time, and he already had his foot on the gas ready to roll! He never once let up!
PFC Joshua Humphrey (pictured on the top right): PFC Humphrey just moved here from the great state of Alaska. He has wanted to join the military for quite some time now, so we were able to make it happen! He will be attending Basic Training very soon and will go to AIT as an 11B Infantryman! When he returns his plans are to transfer to the 20th Special Forces Group where he can attend Airborne School and reclass under another MOS to further his military career. PFC Humphrey showed nothing but motivation and willingness to do whatever it takes to make today happen, so he can serve his country.
Last (but not least) PFC Tia Coleman: PFC Coleman and I have been working together for about eight months to finally make this day happen! She has been nothing but resilient throughout the process to help make her dreams of serving come true! I never doubted her and it also goes to show just how hard of a worker she is by not giving up! PFC Coleman enlisted as a 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. She will attend Basic Training this Summer, after her Spring Semester where she obtains her Bachelor’s Degree, and will then report to AIT to complete her 91B training. After she completes training her plans are to work with law enforcement in a certain capacity and reclass as a 31B Military Police. Her degree is in Criminal Justice, so she’s using the ALARNG as a stepping stone to bring Military life and Civilian together.
I am beyond proud of these three today! They will all receive a total of about $22,000 a year to go towards their Tuition Assistance and Fees as well as their Montgomery GI Bill that will put an extra $466 a month in their pockets. To take advantage of these benefits it’s only at a cost of one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer that’s all paid as well. I can go on and on about these three, but if you have any questions please feel free to reach out! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Go Guard!
