Photo By Jennifer Archdekin | During a school visit, Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Russell (center) meets with two of his...... read more read more
AMORET, Mo. – Nearly one third of the Miami High School senior class is now serving in the Missouri Army National Guard. Although it works out to be only two students out of the class of seven, it still speaks volumes to the commitment and personal courage of these students.
Eric Hendrix, of Amsterdam, and Austin Muller, of Butler, are two of Missouri’s newest citizen-soldiers. Both enlisted Jan. 9 with their classmates by their side and will eventually serve with the 1139th Military Police in Harrisonville.
The school, located in Amoret, has 196 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Daniel Johnson, school principal, said he is excited at the prospect of a new trend that may start because of Hendrix and Muller.
“I’m very impressed,” said Johnson. “We have a group of kids that are seeking to change the community and have an impact on the world. They understand the importance of the military. They understand the importance of the sacrifices that have been made in the past, and what it takes to continue to do well in the future.”
Johnson said he welcomes the National Guard into his school because of what it offers his students.
“I think the National Guard provides avenues,” said Johnson. “We are small. We don’t necessarily have resources that other areas do. The nice thing is that through the National Guard we have students that have been given an opportunity, not only to serve, but to further their education and do it without having to struggle. It takes money to get an education. Now they have the means to do it and do it well.
The reaction from classmates has been nothing but positive for Hendrix and Muller.
“A lot of people were proud,” said Muller. “There was this little kid that said, ‘Ah, you’re my role model now. I want to be like you when I grow up.’ I’m proud of my decision.”
Both said that regardless of the other’s decision to enlist, each would have joined the Guard. The fact that they have a friend also going through the process just makes it easier.
Hendrix leaves in May for Fort Jackson, S.C., to attend basic training. He will receive his advanced training to become a wheeled-vehicle mechanic beginning in July at Fort Lee, Va.
Muller will go through basic starting in June at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and will later train to become a military policeman.
Hendrix plans to continue his education and may enter an automotive vocational school. He is sure that the training in the National Guard, paired with his civilian education, will set him up for success and give him an edge in his career.
“He’s going to be a diesel mechanic for us,” said Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Russell, Missouri National Guard recruiter. “He’s going to get a lot of wrench turning with us. What’s great is that he will have two different styles of schooling.”
Muller plans to go to college and is considering a career in social work. Being a military policeman and social worker may appear to sit on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, what it boils down to for Muller is helping others.
“I went the MP route for disaster relief and to go and help others,” said Muller. “I chose the social work route to help kids from troubled homes. I like to put someone before me.”
As most principals would attest, Johnson has taken a vested interest in Hendrix and Muller, as well as all of his students. As an educator, he’s proud to see their career plans unfold and take shape.
“It’s about time,” said Johnson, jokingly. “I’ve talked to both of them about where they’re planning to go and what their goals are. It’s coming together the way it needs to. They’re graduating, they have a direction. I see a lot of kids that over the years they walk out and have no direction. They have a plan. As the year has progressed I see it getting more and more defined, and they’re going to be able to do it. I want to see that from all of my kids.”
As their recruiter, Russell has been a resource to help direct these students as they chose a career path that worked for them, pulling from his own experiences to give advice to those he recruits.
“They are a lot like me,” said Russell. “I was a lot like them. I didn’t really have the means to go to college without some help. There are a lot of similarities.”
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2013 17:15 |
| Story ID: | 103896 |
| Location: | AMORET, MO, US |
| Hometown: | BUTLER, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Rural Missouri school supports seniors’ career with National Guard, by Jennifer Archdekin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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