Photo By Staff Sgt. Tyrone Williams | Pfc. Travis Moorhouse received his U.S. citizenship after two years in the country.... read more read more
By Army Spc. Malikah Anderson
WASHINGTON - Spc. Anderson: Why did you join the DC National Guard?
Pfc. Travis Moorhouse: In 2013, I started the process to join the Jamaican Defense Force (JDF). Capt. Richard Sanders was assisting me during the process, but my United States residence petition got approved and I migrated to the U.S. Capt. Sanders said, “Make sure you join the military, when you get to the states. I promise you will not regret it."
I was attending Prince George Community College (PG) and my main focus at the time was track and field. Within a few weeks of attending PG Community College the District of Columbia National Guard came recruiting (DCNG).
My best friend Jordane Clarke and I went to speak with Staff Sgt. Demaron McFarlane. I told him that the only way I would join the DCNG is if they had a track and field program or track team. He told me that the Army National Guard had a track team. Sgt. McFarland also told us about the other benefits that the guard offered. Pfc. Clarke and I decided to join the DCNG because they offered to pay for our school tuitions.
Spc. Anderson: How long have you been in the guard?
Pfc. Moorhouse: I joined the guard one year and four months ago. I came back from Advanced Individual Training in February 2015.
Spc. Anderson: What is your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and do you enjoy it?
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, I enjoy being a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (91B).
Spc. Anderson: Do you enjoy being in the DCNG?
Pfc. Moorhouse: This is awesome! I really enjoy being in the DCNG. I plan to retire in 30 years from this organization.
Spc. Anderson: What do you enjoy about the DCNG?
Pfc. Moorhouse: What I enjoy the most is Physical Training (PT), learning new things about my MOS, meeting new people, getting to understand what the Army is all about, and the benefits of serving in the Army.
Spc. Anderson: You stated that you enjoy doing PT. What is your fastest run time for your two-mile run?
Pfc. Moorhouse: My fastest run time is 10:53 for my two-mile run.
Spc. Anderson: Pfc. Moorhouse I was told that on July 31, 2015, you became a United States Naturalized Citizen, and you swore in at the ceremony.
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, that is correct.
Spc. Anderson: Where are you originally from?
Pfc. Moorhouse: I am from St. James, Montego Bay, Jamaica W.I.
Spc. Anderson: Did the DCNG assist you in becoming a United States Citizen?
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, the organization did.
Spc. Anderson: How did the DCNG assist you?
Pfc. Moorhouse: After joining the guard, my recruiter started helping with process by putting the legal immigration paper work together. He and a few other sergeants walked Pfc. Clarke and I through the process.
Spc. Anderson: So, Pfc. Clarke is in the process of getting his U.S. Citizenship as well?
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, he is going through the same process that I went through and he should receive his United States Citizenship in either September or November of this year.
Spc. Anderson: Are you taking advantage of any other benefits?
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, I am taking advantage of my educational benefit. I will be pursing a Criminal Justice degree starting in September 2015.
Spc. Anderson: I can relate to your story as well. I am from Kingston, Jamaica W.I. I attended high school in Mount Vernon, N.Y. I enlisted into active duty Army right after I graduated high school. My primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a Transportation Specialist (88M). I joined the Army, so that I could receive my United States Citizenship and educational benefits. During my time in the Army, I was able to travel to Germany and other European countries. I became a United States Naturalized Citizens over 10 years ago. The Army paid for my Bachelors and Master of Business Administration degree. My first sergeant on active duty helped me to put my immigration papers together and walked me through the process as well.
My training in the military has helped me to progress in my civilian life and job. I was taught leadership responsibilities, how to be a team player, organizational skills, timeliness, and how to get the job done. These are all skills set that is important in my civilian life and I can truly say that the military is my lifeline.
Spc. Anderson: Earlier in the interview, you stated that you plan to retire in the DCNG? Are you planning on becoming an officer or will you remain an enlisted soldier?
Pfc. Moorhouse: I probably will remain an enlisted soldier because I like to work in a field environment and not behind a desk.
Spc. Anderson: Would you recommend the military as an option to young people graduating from high school who are unsure about their future?
Pfc. Moorhouse: Yes, I would because the military helps you to mature, teaches you a lot, helps you to qualify for jobs that you would not have been able to get before, broaden your horizon, offers lots of benefits, as well as respect.
Spc. Anderson: Thank you.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2015 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 172834 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 231 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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