Photo By Staff Sgt. Tori Miller | Georgia Army National Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Kayla Hodgin, is congratulated by her...... read more read more
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In December 2018, nearly nine years after Georgia Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kayla Hodgin set the goal to become a warrant officer, she graduated from Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker, Alabama.
“I feel like this was an opportunity for me to reach more people at a higher level,” said Hodgin. “That’s what I am in it for. I like to see people’s careers expand and get better from something that I know I can help with and make better.”
Hodgin works full-time as the human resources noncommissioned officer in charge of the Marietta-based 4th Civil Support Team at Clay National Guard Center.
Hodgin joined the Georgia National Guard in 2009 at 17 years old. She initially enlisted as military police, and shortly after graduating from basic training and advanced individual training, she deployed to Kosovo in 2011. Upon her return, Hodgin decided that being an MP was one way to help others but felt there was a higher purpose for her enlistment. She trained as a human resource specialist and has worked to diversify her experiences as much as possible.
Hodgin gives credit to the soldiers around her and her leadership throughout her career.
“I have had a lot of support in the military, nobody gets to where they are without help,” said Hodgin. “My parents, sister and my brother-in-law have always pushed me and been receptive of anything I want to do when it comes to the military.”
Hodgin served as the medical readiness NCO with Marietta-based Joint Task Force 781 till 2015 when she received an inquiry from the CST about joining the unit. Initially, she showed no interest in moving to the CST but said that after the second request for an interview with the unit, she inquired.
“When I took the job in 2015, I took it to further my administrative experience,” said Hodgin. “I had mainstreamed enlisted operations, but I didn’t know a lot about officers at the time. To be able to expand my human resources knowledge and gain experience in hazardous material training as well.”
Hodgin enjoyed the Civil Support Skills Course that took place at Fort Leonard Wood. It was an eight-week instructional course that involved studying chemistry, radiation, equipment training and more. Hodgin’s transfer to the CST has given her more opportunity to work with officers and work in different environments, giving her a stronger background as a human resources NCO.
Hodgin said that moving to the CST meant working out balancing the schedule of her son, Jarell. Jarell plays baseball year-round, and Hodgin ensures that he never misses a beat, even when she has to travel. For Hodgin, without the support of her parents, none of this would be possible.
“It’s really just the balance part of it, being able to balance and prioritize,” said Hodgin. “I’ve always been family first, so being in the military and having that transition to mission first and then family next is tough, but I have a great support system. When I have those moments when I have to be gone at short notice or for extended periods of time my parents will step in, and there is no break in routine.”
Being in the CST helped Hodgin continue the path to going warrant. She continues to enjoy her job as human resources because it gives her the opportunity to help and observe a soldier’s career grow.
WOCS was a challenge for Hodgin, but she said that once settled into the course she had great support from classmates, and it made the experience tolerable. Hodgin also stated that the course tested her physically.
“You’re there with people from all walks of life,” said Hodgin. “It’s a cohesive effort. Our class was slightly different; we didn’t have anyone that was straight out of high school. Everyone in our class had previously been in the military, and the youngest person in our class was 20. We also had two that were in their late 40s as well.”
According to Hodgin nothing fully prepares you for WOCS, but preparing physically and mentally that you are going back into a stressful training environment helps.
Currently, Hodgin is awaiting her next orders, she submitted a pre-determination packet and was approved to branch as a human resources technician once she passed WOCS in December 2018.
“We graduated with seven females in a class of 85 at WOCS,” said Hodgin. “It was nice to take a step back on graduation day with the other females and being able to do it together. It’s awesome to have people to lean on, especially in an environment like that with other strong women.”
| Date Taken: | 03.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2019 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 315220 |
| Location: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 322 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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