Graduating into Service

Among the seniors receiving diplomas next month, there will be six unique graduates who have committed the next eight years to the U. S. Army.

Hilary Nimmo, Jennifer Kiner, Charles Coldiron, Alexander Smith, Todd Sackewitz and Jennifer Farland are all members of the Methodist University Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). In exchange for tuition, a stipend and book money (all paid for by the Army), each has agreed to enter the military as a 2nd Lieutenant and spend at least eight years in active or reserve duty.

Each has their own story, but in each interview they all said the same thing: The Army gives you a different perspective on and appreciation of college opportunities.

Four of the six students were previously enlisted in the Army and chose to be discharged before entering the Green-to-Gold program at Methodist.

“Being in the Army taught me to set goals for myself and then accomplish them,” said Nimmo. “College has really been a two-year-long mission for me, and I’ve finally completed it.”

Many are members of the Green-to-Gold program, which gives scholarships to students for participating in the program. When the cadets graduate, they must serve in the military as an officer for several years, much like the N.C. Teaching Fellowships.

Farland chose the “active duty option,” which means that for the past four years she has worked for the Army and gone to school.

While many of the students entering the program have been in the military in the past, some came straight from high school. Smith is the only graduating senior in the program that did not enter the program through the military. Instead, he joined the ROTC program when he got to Methodist after high school.

“It’s been a family tradition in my family to join the military, and my dad was a Methodist graduate, so I decided to come to Methodist straight out of school,” said Smith.

Sackewitz said that one of the things he liked about being in ROTC at Methodist was interacting with the students who didn’t have a military background. He said that, though there wasn’t anything really new for him, it was interesting to work with the newer students.

Jennifer Kiner, elementary education major, chose to enter the National Guard for the next eight year and hopes to teach kindergarten on a military base. She joined the military because when she graduated from high school, she didn’t have the opportunity to got to college right away. Four years later, she was accepted into the Green-to Gold program.

“The military helped me gain structure and maturity,” said Kiner. “Plus, the scholarship money can be helpful for people that can’t otherwise pay for school.”

Coldiron was in a similar situation. He didn’t have the money for college and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. After three years in the Army, he said he has gained a lot of confidence and the ability to figure things out on his own. That has helped him in his classes on projects and critical thinking.

Hilary Nimmo

Major:

Business Administration

Prior Military Service:

Eight years

Future Duty Station:

Fort Bragg

Career Plans:

Will spend at least eight years as active duty

“Coming to Methodist has offered me a new perspective. I’ve done things from the NCO [Non Commissioned Officer] side of things, and now I get to see things from the officer side.”

Jennifer Kiner

Major:

Elementary Education

Prior Military Service:

Five years

Future Duty Station:

Fort Bragg

Career Plans:

Will serve 8 years in the National Guard and teach at a school on base.

“Military life really makes you appreciate the people around you and the opportunities you are offered.”

Charles Coldiron

Major:

Global Studies

Prior Military Service:

Three years

Future Duty Station:

Fort Bragg

Career Plans:

Will pursue a career in the military.

“My major will help me be a good officer, because now I have a better understanding of other cultures and how governments work. I think I relate to people better now.”

Alexander Smith