Soldier spotlight: Pfc. Abigail Swank

109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Ashley Childress

Date: 06.19.2019
Posted: 06.26.2019 09:28
News ID: 329207
Soldier spotlight: Pfc. Abigail Swank

Pfc. Abigail Swank serves as a motor transport operator assigned to the 121st Transportation Company, 228th Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Swank is a native of Chicago, Illinois and moved to Pennsylvania to follow her dreams of music performance. She has played the oboe most of her life.

“I got accepted into Pennsylvania State University pursuing a Bachelor of Music,” said Swank. “I would love to eventually make it into the Big City Orchestra.”

Swank decided to join the Pennsylvania Army National Guard to help pay for college, and wants to go active duty following college to serve as a 42R musician.

Although Swank was a couple points short on the Army musician proficiency assessment in order to join the National Guard as a musician for double-reed instruments, she still decided to join for the benefits.

Swank chose to be a motor transport operator because of the short advanced individual training, so she could graduate in time for her college classes.

“It is really fun to drive the fueler trucks,” Swank said. “The comaraderie within the transportation company is more than I expected, and I have learned a lot from the experienced Soldiers in the unit.”

Swank added that she wants learn as much as possible during her time in the National Guard and college to better herself mentally and professionally. She spends her free time practicing the oboe, approximately 50 hours a week.