Sophomore biological sciences major Precocia Parlow is a soldier in the U.S. Army and a part of the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Sarah Hess/The Lion’s Roar

The United States armed forces defend the rights of American citizens by risking their lives so that their nation can be secure. Sophomore biological sciences major Precocia Parlow is one of those soldiers that put her country before herself. Parlow joined the National Guard in 2015. 

Parlow explained why she joined the military. 

“I wanted to do something, and I wanted to help,” said Parlow. “I feel like it was a way to serve people, but I did want to get my education first. That’s why I didn’t go active. I decided to go reserve.” 

Parlow hopes to be a physician assistant after graduation and may decide to do active duty at a hospital on a military base. She has to attend drills one weekend every month and work at a medical unit where they perform periodic health assessments to around 300 soldiers, taking blood, giving flu immunization and updating any information on personal mental health among other duties. Parlow must also prepare for missions in case of hurricanes or other national disasters and wishes to help on missions when states are in distress and has opportunities for volunteers.

“I have to look at the bigger picture there,” said Parlow. “There are enough people who volunteer that everything’s fulfilled, so they don’t really need it. But one day, I’d like to help.” 

Parlow has to manage her time wisely between taking classes and her commitments to the National Guard. 

“I believe because college is a challenge by itself, trying to learn so much, having that major and doing the National Guard, sometimes it can be hectic,” said Parlow. “It’s stressful trying to study for tests when I have so much work already, and I take about 17 to 18 hours each semester. So, it’s stressful time management.” 

Parlow found alternatives to finding time to sleep. She learned to sleep while standing. The drill sergeant nicknamed her “Sleepy Smurf.” While it is a demanding job both physically and mentally, being a part of the military also helps university students financially. Tuition for state exemption for state colleges is waived, and the GI Bill allots her a monthly stipend. Parlow expressed her thoughts on the financial aid military personnel receive for their education. 

“I honestly think it’s really great because it gives you a variety of choices,” said Parlow. “Even if you go active when you get out, you can go to college, or you can do college while you’re serving. So, I think it’s a good program because not everyone can afford to go to college. I think it’s a really good opportunity for those people because education is important, and that is how the world is able to move forward, through education.” 

Parlow believes that since most students have to take out student loans, it is a significant factor that deters people from attending college.

“I think it’s just a really good opportunity to keep pushing education forward and then also an opportunity to have people serve their country and do something great,” said Parlow. 

Alumnus Jeff Garland found his passion, job aspirations and wife when he joined the Air Force. Garland attended the university in 1986-91 as a social studies education major. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and served as a senator in the Student Government Association. He joined the Air Force in between getting his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

While serving in North Dakota, Garland met his wife. 

“I just decided to go do it,” said Garland. “I was just spinning my wheels in college and not really knew what I wanted to do yet. So, I just decided to go into the Air Force. I went in there, and I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, met my wife, got out and went back to college.”

Working in North Dakota during his time in the reserves and active duty took him to countries such as Africa and Germany. Spending three years on active duty and seven years in the reserve, Garland reminisced about some of his favorite memories in the military. His time in the reserves got him accustomed to northern winters playing snow softball in T-shirts and shorts. Garland’s active duty years allowed him to see new cultures and meet new people. 

“In the reserves wherever we went, it was such a great thing to go on tours and visit,” said Garland. “Whenever we would be able to see the different counties and stuff, Africa was beautiful. We went to Germany. Several days we had off. We were able to go to Brussels, see the flowers and stuff in Brussels, which was really nice. One of our trips we went down to Argentina. It was really difficult being on the beach almost every day.”

While wanting to help and serve her country, Parlow decided to go to the reserve and focus on education. Sarah Hess/The Lion's Roar