Guardsman returns home to swear in sister

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Longstreet | Enlisting into the Louisiana National Guard, Mindy M. Donnelly of Calhoun, La., takes the oath at a swearing-in ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Shreveport, La., Sept. 30. She was sworn in by her sister, 2nd Lt. Crystal A. Huff and will immediately begin Basic Training at Fort Jackson, S.C.  

PINEVILLE, UNITED STATES

10.07.2009

Story by Spc. Scott Longstreet 

Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La. — On leave from a deployment in Kuwait, Louisiana Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Crystal A. Huff welcomed her sister Mindy M. Donnelly into the National Guard by administering the oath of enlistment during a swearing-in ceremony at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Shreveport, La., Sept. 30.

"The Guard is like a family to me," said Huff, a member of the 204th Theater Aviation Operations Group. "I met my husband in the military and now have both my nephew and sister in the National Guard as well."

Donnelly, a Calhoun, La., native, will depart immediately for Fort Jackson, S.C., to begin her 10-week Basic Combat Training course followed by 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va. She will enlist as a food service specialist.

"I wanted a different way of living," Donnelly said. "I wanted to do something different with my life and make things better for me and my son."

Upon completion of training, she will join the 199th Brigade Support Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Camp Shelby, Miss., in preparation for a January 2010 deployment to Iraq.

"I purposely chose a job that would allow for the quickest deployment," the 29-year-old Donnelly said.

Huff, the personnel officer with the aviation group, talked about the impact this swearing-in ceremony has on the family.

"We are proud of her," she said. "This will be an eye opening experience for Mindy, and I cannot wait to see her after a year or so in the military. We are confident this will lead to a better and brighter future for both her and her son."

"I am dedicated to the task," Donnelly added. "I am a hard worker and cannot wait to train myself for something better. I also have plans for college in the future."

The oath of enlistment into the United States Armed Forces is administered by any commissioned officer to any person enlisting or re-enlisting for a term of service into any branch of the military. The officer asks the person, or persons, to raise their right hand and repeat the oath after him. The oath is traditionally performed in front of the United States Flag and other flags, such as the state flag, military branch flag and unit guidon.

• Date Taken: 10.07.2009
• Date Posted: 10.07.2009 11:25
• Story ID: 39775
• Location: PINEVILLE, US