Photo By Maj. J. Scott Detweiler | U.S. Army Spc. Megan Hopwood, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 186th Brigade...... read more read more
In Vermont, the end of daylight savings time signals the change in seasons from autumn to winter.
For U.S. Army Specialist Megan Hopwood, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), the last several weeks have provided the chance to consider her own opportunity for change.
With her initial enlistment coming to an end, would service in the Vermont Army National Guard continue to support her civilian aspirations and lifestyle?
“There were a couple of things holding me back from re-enlisting,” said Hopwood. “But I spoke with some of my unit leaders who shared their experiences holding government jobs and also being part of the Army.”
Then in September, Col. Leonard Poirier, 86th IBCT (MTN) commander, hosted a forum for women across the Brigade. He shared in detail the latest Command Climate Assessment results and provided updates on accountability throughout the unit. He also casted a vision for the Alpine Brigade.
“With the mentorship from my leadership and the support through the forum on how the Vermont National Guard is really working toward becoming a great program, it all just clicked and I knew I wanted to stay,” sad Hopwood.
Hopwood, 28, from Vershire, Vt., currently attends Castleton University as a full-time student. She studies Wildlife and Forest Conservation as well as Environmental Science. She enlisted in the Guard October of 2019 to bring more structure and purpose to her life.
“I always knew I wanted to serve. I didn’t know if that was going to be as law enforcement or through the Army, but I decided I could work on those together,” she said. “So I joined the Guard for some tuition benefits, but not only that, but to gain experience through the Army to help in my civilian career.”
Following basic training and advanced individual training as a 92Y supply specialist, Hopwood spent 18 months on orders supporting the Vermont National Guard’s COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.
“There are just so many opportunities that I didn’t even know about that I could be a part of,” said Hopwood. “I thought maybe it was just serving on the weekends and annual training, but since I’ve been in, so many doors have opened for me and it’s one of the greatest decisions I’ve made.”
In Hopwood’s experience, unit leaders have demonstrated an interest in her life and have provided the support she requires to succeed as a Soldier, a student, and an aspiring professional. And it’s those simple things she identifies as her favorite part of serving.
“Being with my peers, and just being part of a great organization. Going in [to drill] and saying hello to the faces and people you know and who care about you, and want to see you do the best you can.”
Of course, the tuition benefits and pay do not hurt.
“There’s a lot on my plate, but the benefits of training weekends make for great supplemental income. And this past drill it was a three-day weekend, so that money was very beneficial.”
“I would just say if anybody is thinking about re-enlisting or enlisting, it’s just give it a shot, try,” concluded Hopwood. “That’s just what I would say, it doesn’t hurt to try and I think people would find more great things that come out of joining or re-enlisting than negative. The Vermont National Guard’s going to support you and it’s going to make you succeed as a person, but also as a Soldier to stay in.”
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2022 14:30 |
| Story ID: | 432748 |
| Location: | NORTHFIELD, VERMONT, US |
| Hometown: | VERSHIRE, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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