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The Bison Battalion


Welcome to the MS III cadet page of the Bison Battalion

 

Renee O'Connor MSIII

I had not, for a vast majority of my life, even considered the military in any way.  At the time of my enlistment, I was in the eighth year of a successful teaching career, married with a 6 year old son.  Around that time, I met and became friends with members of the National Guard, and took note of the strong impact that the military had on their lives.  There was nothing blatantly missing in mine, but I had always wondered if my professional or personal life had created any sort of lasting, positive impact on others.  After some time and consideration, I decided that this was an area where I could be certain that goal could be reached, that I could have some sort of beneficial influence on something larger and more important than my own life.  I enlisted one month prior to my 30th birthday. The option for ROTC came to me a few months after I returned home from Basic Training and AIT.  One of my friends at the time was an Officer/ROTC recruiter for the North Dakota Army National Guard, and he talked me into going with him to one of his events.  I was just there to pass time, with no thought as to the actual program.  Prior to the event, the Professor of Military Science at the time came in and, after speaking to my friend, asked if I was interested.  I explained that I already had a bachelor’s degree.  He simply said “So?  Come back, do a masters, and do ROTC.”  And I did.  I am taking leave from classroom teaching, pursuing my master’s degree in music education, and ROTC.  I will be the last to say this is an easy road.  The demands of both of the programs I am in are constant and challenging.  In addition, I balance being a wife, mother, drilling member of the North Dakota Army National Guard, and various other commitments.  However, I have always believed that a challenge pays off.   I see no reason why this one will be any different.
I could say quite a bit on what the military has given to me a new respect for my own family history in the service, the opportunities I have had to assist others when they need it most, those friends who continue to inspire and be family,  or a set of skills that I never dreamed I’d have.  But if I could get one thing across to anyone, it’s that if I can create any sort of success out of this journey with the background I have, it’s more than possible for you.  Don’t rule something out if think you’ve already set your life in stone.  It has a funny way of changing on you.