Sergeant switches drill to English, music
John Anderson
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Features
On Valentine's Day 2002, in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, junior Kathryn "Andy" Anderson decided to join the U.S. Army National Guard, a decision that came naturally to the patriotic 17-year-old.
"I didn't have love for anything more than I did for my family and country," says the Reno, Nev., native, who transfered to Hillsdale College this year, "so joining the Army seemed to be the right thing to do."
After years of military success, Anderson, who is an English and music major, was one of the first drill sergeants for the Nevada National Guard, as the job was just opened to National Guard soldiers for the first time. Now that she is in Hillsdale, Anderson hopes to continue working as a drill sergeant for the Michigan Army National Guard.
For Anderson, experiencing the relationship between drill sergeant and recruit has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the Army, as it allows drill sergeants to instill in their charges self-confidence and self-worth.
"Sometimes you are the first person in someone's life to make them realize they have something powerful and good in them," she says. "Every person has a little piece of the Creator in them. Every soul has a piece of God in them. A true leader is someone who can make them want to dig for that good part of them."
Those close to Anderson say they are impressed by her leadership ability.
"Every time I see her in a military environment, she shines incredibly," says Marcy Purkie, a high school friend and fellow National Guard soldier. "You can teach people to lead, but she's just got it. She can motivate people. She doesn't judge or look down on people. She's always respectful."
Anderson decided to transfer to Hillsdale after visiting a friend on campus.
"The morals of this college reflected the morals I'd found in the Army," Anderson says. "I saw valor, honor, duty and integrity reflected in all the people I'd met that week. I thought, 'These are the kinds of people I want to be like.'"
"I didn't have love for anything more than I did for my family and country," says the Reno, Nev., native, who transfered to Hillsdale College this year, "so joining the Army seemed to be the right thing to do."
After years of military success, Anderson, who is an English and music major, was one of the first drill sergeants for the Nevada National Guard, as the job was just opened to National Guard soldiers for the first time. Now that she is in Hillsdale, Anderson hopes to continue working as a drill sergeant for the Michigan Army National Guard.
For Anderson, experiencing the relationship between drill sergeant and recruit has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the Army, as it allows drill sergeants to instill in their charges self-confidence and self-worth.
"Sometimes you are the first person in someone's life to make them realize they have something powerful and good in them," she says. "Every person has a little piece of the Creator in them. Every soul has a piece of God in them. A true leader is someone who can make them want to dig for that good part of them."
Those close to Anderson say they are impressed by her leadership ability.
"Every time I see her in a military environment, she shines incredibly," says Marcy Purkie, a high school friend and fellow National Guard soldier. "You can teach people to lead, but she's just got it. She can motivate people. She doesn't judge or look down on people. She's always respectful."
Anderson decided to transfer to Hillsdale after visiting a friend on campus.
"The morals of this college reflected the morals I'd found in the Army," Anderson says. "I saw valor, honor, duty and integrity reflected in all the people I'd met that week. I thought, 'These are the kinds of people I want to be like.'"
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