Photo By Sgt. Allen Griffith | The Maryland National Guard takes great pleasure in recognizing its citizen soldiers...... read more read more
Q: How long have you been in the guard?
A: I have been in the since June 2014.
Q: What inspired you to join?
A: My resume was being passed around to different folks. I was going on interviews with no luck. Army Maj. Callender (previous 29th MPAD commander) received my resume and requested permission from my mother to discuss joining the National Guard. My mother thought it would be a good morale booster to talk with Maj. Callender. She didn’t realize he would talk me into joining.
Q: What do you do in the guard?
A: I am a Public Affairs Specialist. I research and produce news releases, articles and photographs on Maryland National Guard personnel and activities.
Q: What do you do on the civilian side?
A: I’m a digital graphic designer for Sinclair Broadcast Group. I design web ads to be placed on the news sites.
Q: What impact did your civilian training have on your military training?
A: My civilian technical training made my advanced individual training (AIT) much easier. I wasn’t starting at the ground level like most soldiers. The struggles and setbacks I encountered seeking positions also helped me to better deal with struggles and setbacks I encountered in military training.
Q: What impact did military training have on your civilian position?
A: My military training gave me leadership skills. I have learned to be more vocal about what needs to be done. Prior to joining the military, I would always say yes to coworkers about additional work regardless of my workload. My military experience has allowed me to say no to coworkers when needed in order to redirect some assignments.
Q: What was your biggest struggle during military training?
A: Lack of confidence. I tend not to be confident in what I am doing even if I have a grasp on things. I always referred things to someone who was more outgoing.
Q: What are your long term goals in the military?
A: Continue moving upward on the enlisted side. I plan to stay in longer than my initial contract.
Q: Do you see yourself as a future leader and non-commissioned officer in the Maryland Army National Guard?
A: I do, eventually. I’m still learning a lot from the NCOs in my unit, and hearing and seeing all what they do, I really respect that. I would like to be someone who eventually can help and be a reliable soldier for my chain of command. I got a taste of taking on some leadership roles in AIT, in the Army detachment as platoon guide for 1st platoon and in working as the NCOIC during our FTX (Field Training Exercise).
Q: What are your long-term goals on the civilian side?
A: Continue doing graphic design work. Possibly getting back into more desktop publishing and layout design.
Q: What made you choose your civilian profession?
A: My aspirations go back to my high-school years when I enjoyed painting and drawing. I took art and tech classes to fulfill graduation requirements. Through that experience, I fell in love with computer design.
Q: Did you receive any special recognition in your military training?
A: I was Distinguished Honor Grad.
Q: Was that one of your goals while in AIT and how did you feel when you received that award?
A: In the beginning, I really just was aiming for honor graduate. I wanted to do well in the course and learn as much as I could. Later on in the course, I started working more directly for it, especially when we moved into subjects I had a little bit more experience. I was excited when I found out. It was formally announced it during graduation practice the day before the ceremony.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your current military assignment?
A: My chain of command is very supportive. Also, my leadership promotes a more creative environment than my civilian employer.
Q: What advice would you give a soldier considering a career in public affairs?
A: Take all of the training in and absorb everything you encounter in your military experience. Your background will come in handy when you go on assignments. Your background will also become the common ground to connect with soldiers you will be covering on assignment.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2016 09:36 |
| Story ID: | 198133 |
| Location: | WESTMINISTER, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Trooper of the Quarter - Spc. Liz Scott, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 46Q, by SGT Allen Griffith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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