Dear Diary: Joining the National Guard
February 3, 2003
Lacey Engebretson
Hi! My name is Lacey M. Engebretson, and I am a junior human development major here at SDSU.
I joined the 1742nd Transportation Co. of the Army National Guard in Sioux Falls about four years ago, on Dec. 28, 1998.
In my first diary entry, I will tell you about myself and how I got involved with the guards.
I grew up in Garretson, South Dakota, which is about 20 minutes northeast of Sioux Falls. I am a shift supervisor at Perkins Family Restaurant, and I also volunteer at the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter.
For some reason, it was very easy for me to decide to join the Army National Guard. I liked the idea of the military, and I thought that it would be good to have some structure in my life.
And, of course, the idea of getting money to go to college was a huge factor.
Basic training was a blast.
My cousin Shelly Nussbaum and my friend Rebecca Andera went with me, so that eased the pain of getting up at four in the morning and running two to five miles, plus euduring our drill sergeants’ favorite work out– one they liked to call “muscle failure.”
At first, I didn’t really take the military seriously. I quickly learned that this wasn’t the attitude to have when coming to drill. I was put in my place.
When Sept. 11, 2001 happened, I thought I would for sure be going to Afghanistan. But it’s taken almost two years to get to the point that I am at now.
My military officer status is 88M, which means I am a heavy vehicle operator or “truck driver.” (Yes, I know I don’t look like a truck driver.)
I drive anything from an 18-wheeler to a deuce and a half truck, and I can also drive a “hummer.”
When I was asked to write about my experiences, I was very honored. I think that it is important for people to know what’s going on on the other side of the world, and I will try to help you guys better understand what is going on around us.
4Questions? Comments?
#1.887519:1188352777.jpg:1guard.jpg:Starting this week, the Collegian will feature columns by different members of the military personnel so the rest of us can understand what they go through.:
