Activation Guides a Soldier’s Education Track

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MA, UNITED STATES

01.19.2022

Story by Sgt. Cody Kilduff 

65th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – A short time in the Massachusetts National Guard and an activation has guided one Soldier back to school to pursue a degree in the behavioral health field.
Private First Class Marysa Bordeleau, a cannoneer with the Charlie Battery, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, is returning to Middlesex Community College in the fall of 2022 and will enroll at University of Massachusetts Lowell to complete her degree.
Bordeleau was unsure what she wanted to do and did not have a clear focus on the classes she took during her first shot in college.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I took a lot of different classes,” said Bordeleau. I feel like I wasted a lot of time, so I took some time off and joined the National Guard. I’m going back to school next fall.”
The National Guard provided Bordeleau an opportunity to further her education and assist paying off the student loans she accrued during her first stint in school.
This is Bordeleau’s first activation since joining the Guard almost 18 months ago. Bordeleau volunteered for the mission to get a sense of what type of health care provider she wants to become.
Up to 1,000 Army and Air Guard personnel are helping address the non-clinical needs of hospitals and transportation systems across Massachusetts. Guard members are supporting more than 60 acute care hospitals, as well as 13 ambulance service providers across all five of the Commonwealth’s Emergency Medical Service Regions.
Bordeleau said, getting a behind the scenes look at everything is really eye opening to watch the nurses and doctors interacting day-to-day with patients.
“So far every day is different,” said Bordeleau. “You get to see a little bit of the people who are really at the front lines are doing every day. It’s interesting.”
Bordeleau’s daily tasks at Lawrence General Hospital influenced her decision to pursue an occupational therapy degree.
“I get assigned a patient, or two depending on their behavioral needs,” she said. “I watch over them, and provide them with food, water and a place to rest.”
What really sticks out to Bordeleau is the diversity in the patients she sees, all of whom have their own individual needs.
She expects her mission to last through the month of March, but she understands that the timeframe is subject to change.
“I’m just happy to be here making a difference, and hopefully helping any nurse or doctor I can along the way through this pandemic,” said Bordeleau.

• Date Taken: 01.19.2022
• Date Posted: 02.10.2022 17:43
• Story ID: 413391
• Location: HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MA, US