Military experience launches Soldier’s dream of helping Veterans

Photo By Spc. Michael Germundson | U.S. Army Reserve warrant officer candidate Sofia Olds, an automated logistical specialist with the 787th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (787th CSSB), from Dothan, Ala., reacts to simulated mortars in a vehicle staging area at Forward Operating Base Santé Fe at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 15. Olds used the stress management skills she learned in the military to obtain a master’s degree in social work. Her goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker to help veterans. (Photo by Spc. Michael Germundson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

08.15.2015

Story by Maj. Wayne Clyne 

115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT IRWIN, Calif. - U.S. Army Reserve warrant officer candidate Sofia Olds with the 787th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), out of Dothan, Alabama, credits the Army National Guard with a lifetime of success. She started her military career at 20 years of age in the Florida Army National Guard as a motor transport operator (88M).

Olds was interested in joining the guard from her husband telling stories of travel and exciting work. She joined the 144th Transportation Company, in Mariana, Florida. There, she worked for the last 12 years working her way up to the rank of staff sergeant, and earned a position in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program as a company supply sergeant. While working full time, then Staff Sgt. Olds deployed to Iraq, she earned an undergraduate degree, and then continued on to earn a master’s degree in social work.

Once she graduated with her master’s degree, she set her sites on fulfilling her dream of helping fellow veterans. To meet this goal, Sofia obtained a conditional release from her AGR position, and transitioned to her part-time position at the 787th CSSB as a warrant officer candidate for the 92A property accounting position.

Olds believes the Army National Guard was critical to her success. She said the main thing she has gained from her service is time management and the ability to deal with stress.

“I could not of worked full time and went to school without the discipline learned with the Guard,” said Olds.

Olds also benefited from using the GI Bill and the Florida National Guard’s state program, Educational Dollars for Duty, to help pay 100 percent of her education costs. To top it off, she and her husband just purchased their dream home with the help of the Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan Program.

Now she spends her days working in her social work field of study to obtain the 1,500 hours required to become a licensed clinical social worker. Once she fulfills this requirement, her goal is to work for the VA helping veterans as a re-adjustment counselor.

• Date Taken: 08.15.2015
• Date Posted: 08.17.2015 01:59
• Story ID: 173352
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US