WOMEN IN
THE MILITARY
Abby Faulkner, Vehicle Operator for the
Air National Guard, originally planned
to play softball in college. When Abby
decided to join the Air National Guard
instead, she says her family and friends
were surprised, but “they 100% supported
my choice.”
“I do not think it’s harder being a woman
in the military,” she says. “We are all held
to the same standard of excellence, and
I think it’s fair and attainable for both
genders. They only ask you to be your best
you.”
As a Vehicle Operator, Abby says, “I
deliver mission-capable parts in a timely
manner, and I provide our base and
personnel transportation. I decided to join
after I learned about the benefits, such as
bonuses and college tuition assistance.”
She says the biggest misconception is that
you won’t have time for school if you join
the military. “In the Guard I get to be
stationed at home and only go to drill once
a month. This allows me to be a full-time
student, and I still get so many benefits.”
What’s one thing she wants people to
know about the military? “I want everyone
to know that by joining the military, you
don’t have to plan on it being your lifetime
career. It is an amazing experience and
brings you so many opportunities that you
can’t get anywhere else. Ultimately, it will
help you reach whatever goals you have
for the future.”
Speaking of future plans, Abby says she
hopes to “graduate with my degree in
biology at the University of Alabama in
Birmingham. I hope to go to dental school
after that. I plan on becoming an officer in
the Air Guard once I earn my degree.”
Abby Faulkner,
Airman First Class
Air National Guard
ENLIST OR BECOME AN OFFICER?
Think of it this way: enlisted soldiers are
workers with specific duties, and officers
are managers who give orders and plan
missions. Do you prefer to be the doer, or
the supervisor?
If you want to enlist, once out of high
school you would complete your MEPS
(Military Entrance Processing Station)
and basic training. However, if you think
you may want to enter the military as an
officer, you will need to have a college
degree first.
There are a few paths you can
take to accomplish this:
• R OTC (Reserve Officers
Training Corps): Take military
courses at a college while earning your
degree, then commission as an officer.
• D irect Commission: Enter the
military after becoming a professional
in your field.
• O fficer Candidate School: Enter
after receiving a four-year degree.
•W
est Point Military Academy:
The oldest military academy in the
United States. It is tuition-free, but
acceptance is a competitive process.
www.potentialmagazine.com
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE
ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD
If you’ve decided you want to serve, the
first decision you will need to make is
whether to enlist or to enter the military
as an officer. Both choices can yield great
careers with numerous benefits, but
which one is the right fit for you?
Winter 2016 |
33