2008 Woodie Awards
Senior finds rewards in military service
Samantha Pysher, Reporter
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Campus Life
Senior accounting major Erin Laughlin is not the typical college student. Besides her busy schedule of classes at Youngstown Sate University, Laughlin is a member of the YSU ROTC and the Army National Guard.
She joined four years ago.
"I joined for the challenge, adventure, whole patriotism, and it pays for college." Laughlin said. "Joining is one of the best things that I have ever done, and I love it."
Laughlin said the Army National Guard was for her when she spoke with recruiters and read the benefits that the Army had to offer.
According to Laughlin, she also enjoyed the possibility of travel. She has found herself in Louisiana, Fort Lewis in Washington, Fort Lee in Virginia, Camp Greyling in Michigan and Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
Of her stations Laughlin enjoyed Fort Lee the most since there were opportunities to venture into Richmond and other local cities.
After attending basic training at Fort Jackson, Laughlin's Army journey was just beginning.
Little did Laughlin know that a couple of years later, she and her unit would be sent to help with Hurricane Katrina for a month in Louisiana.
Her role in the relief Katrina effort was ordering parts for military vehicles that needed to be repaired.
Although she has been deployed previously, Laughlin is not concerned about the possibility of being deployed overseas until after she graduates.
"I'm sure I'll be deployed in the future," Laughlin said. "When that time comes, I'll be ready."
Laughlin's unit was deployed at the beginning of last week to Kuwait, but as a contracted cadet Laughlin stayed behind. Contracted cadet members are juniors in college who cannot be deployed. Laughlin didn't become contracted until after her deployment to Louisiana, when she was a sophomore.
When her unit returns from Kuwait, Laughlin will be transferring to another unit.
"I'm going to miss my unit. These are soldiers that I've spent the last three and a half years with," Laughlin said.
Throughout all of her experiences with the Army, Laughlin said she wouldn't have it any other way.
As for what the Army has taught her, Laughlin proudly cites improving her leadership skills, growing more responsible, being strong in all situations, meeting new people and learning how to work with others.
Laughlin advised that although the Army National Guard is not for everyone, anyone who is the interested should look into joining.
"Being in the Army and going to school has set me up for future success," Laughlin noted.
Continuing her Army journey, Laughlin plans to stick with the Army National Guard for the next 20 years, then retire. Although she is in the reserves, she said she would like to work as an accountant as well on the civilian side of life.
She joined four years ago.
"I joined for the challenge, adventure, whole patriotism, and it pays for college." Laughlin said. "Joining is one of the best things that I have ever done, and I love it."
Laughlin said the Army National Guard was for her when she spoke with recruiters and read the benefits that the Army had to offer.
According to Laughlin, she also enjoyed the possibility of travel. She has found herself in Louisiana, Fort Lewis in Washington, Fort Lee in Virginia, Camp Greyling in Michigan and Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
Of her stations Laughlin enjoyed Fort Lee the most since there were opportunities to venture into Richmond and other local cities.
After attending basic training at Fort Jackson, Laughlin's Army journey was just beginning.
Little did Laughlin know that a couple of years later, she and her unit would be sent to help with Hurricane Katrina for a month in Louisiana.
Her role in the relief Katrina effort was ordering parts for military vehicles that needed to be repaired.
Although she has been deployed previously, Laughlin is not concerned about the possibility of being deployed overseas until after she graduates.
"I'm sure I'll be deployed in the future," Laughlin said. "When that time comes, I'll be ready."
Laughlin's unit was deployed at the beginning of last week to Kuwait, but as a contracted cadet Laughlin stayed behind. Contracted cadet members are juniors in college who cannot be deployed. Laughlin didn't become contracted until after her deployment to Louisiana, when she was a sophomore.
When her unit returns from Kuwait, Laughlin will be transferring to another unit.
"I'm going to miss my unit. These are soldiers that I've spent the last three and a half years with," Laughlin said.
Throughout all of her experiences with the Army, Laughlin said she wouldn't have it any other way.
As for what the Army has taught her, Laughlin proudly cites improving her leadership skills, growing more responsible, being strong in all situations, meeting new people and learning how to work with others.
Laughlin advised that although the Army National Guard is not for everyone, anyone who is the interested should look into joining.
"Being in the Army and going to school has set me up for future success," Laughlin noted.
Continuing her Army journey, Laughlin plans to stick with the Army National Guard for the next 20 years, then retire. Although she is in the reserves, she said she would like to work as an accountant as well on the civilian side of life.
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