Photo By Sgt. Edward Lee | Sgt. Tonniesha Bell poses for a photo before her interview to shed light on her trials...... read more read more
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Story by Edward V. Lee, Task Force Southern Castle
Public Affairs Representative NCOIC
Sgt. Tonniesha Bell, Geospatial Specialist for the 168th Engineer Brigade, shares quite an interesting story about her athleticism while serving in the military. Bell is from Duncan, Mississippi, located in a region of Mississippi known as the Delta. She joined the military in December 2017, earning the military occupational specialty of geospatial engineer. She has made a name for herself by being someone who's dependable, smart, and enthusiastic about everything she has a hand in.
Before joining the Army National Guard, Bell played sports in high school and started taking some college courses, as well as volunteering for other activities on a normal basis. She played softball, basketball, and track. Due to unforeseen circumstances during her sophomore year in high school, Bell tore her ACL. At that stage in high school, she had offers from some of the most well-known schools in the state, such as Jackson State University, University of Mississippi, and Mississippi State University.
Unfortunately, she tore her other ACL which resulted in some scholarship offers being withdrawn. After enlisting and completing her Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Bell enrolled at Mississippi State in the spring semester of 2019.
Upon completing AIT, she contacted the coaching staff for MSU's women's basketball team regarding becoming a walk-on. Due to there being no roster slots available, they offered her a position as part of the undergraduate working staff, in which she was able to train with those on the active roster.
It afforded her the opportunity to be part of the Mississippi State University intramural team where they got to travel and play other schools' intramural teams. Along with her athletic scholarship offers, Bell had received plenty of academic scholarships prior to graduating from Broad Street High School; located in Shelby, Mississippi. Her academic scholarship offers included Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Tennessee, and University of Mississippi. In preparation for college, she took college courses her junior and senior years while gearing up to join the military. Taking on as many activities as a young adult as she did, Bell found that she needed to develop a strategy to handle the intense level of time management to accomplish everything.
“I found balance by creating a schedule, developing better time and personal management skills, keeping God first, and trusting the process,” Bell stated.
The issue of recruitment often comes up for high school athletes. They may be considering the military, but they don't know what's available to them.
"Don't place limitations on yourself. If the military is in your plans, do your research on the jobs and opportunities available to you," said Bell.
This is the advice Bell gives high school athletes who have been promised to make it to the next level and may be considering the National Guard but aren’t aware of the bonuses and careers available to them.
Bell has set high expectations for herself during her current deployment with the 168th Engineer Brigade. Her current goals are to earn the rank of staff sergeant and submit her packet for warrant officer school.
We often like to say that if hindsight were 20/20, we'd be better off. It is often followed up by knowing that without trials, it would not help build character to shape and mold us daily.
"Mistakes don't define you. It's what you do after. I'II tell myself to keep pushing because a mantra that I've created over the past couple of years is to ‘Obtain greatness in the face of adversity,’ Don't give up,” said Bell. “Just keep pushing to be the best you that you can be; don't give up. Don't let all the falls keep you down for good; keep standing up. Continue being you and always putting your best foot forward, and people will take notice.”
Bell continues to pursue her talents and athletics while pursuing her military career and aspirations. She currently plays on the 168th Engineer Brigade Softball team, known as "The Black Knights" at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.21.2023 01:01 |
| Story ID: | 449283 |
| Location: | CAMP BUEHRING, KW |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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