Many Wildcats have dreams of serving in the United States military. Whether it be the adrenaline of combat, the dignity of tradition, or the opportunity to travel, there are numerous reasons why a young person would want to serve their country. UHS News had the opportunity to speak with Yanely Lule, a proud member of Ukiah High’s class of 2020, about her experience serving in the Army National Guard.
Lule told us what inspired her to join the Army National Guard. She said, “I knew since I was a little girl that I wanted to be different and pursue experiences that are ‘out of the norm’ so I decided to join the military.”
She also said her aunt and uncle’s military service also served as an inspiration. “I remember seeing pictures of them and not only seeing that they looked cool’ but also how powerful and amazing they looked in their uniform and imagining how I would look in it as well.”
Wildcat Nation prepared Lule for service in multiple ways. Ukiah High’s academic programs allowed her to get a high score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This allowed her to get the job she wanted within the military. She also said Ukiah High’s job fair helped her meet her recruiter.
Lule told us about a recent exciting experience she had in the National Guard. From July to August of this year she went to Fort Polk, Louisiana. The weather was super hot, feeling like it was 120°F and the humidity was 90% the whole day. She told us the “war-time” training was fun even though it was brutally difficult. Lule’s job (to purify and distribute water) can at times feel like a game. The mix of “adrenaline and excitement” is “one of a kind.”
Lule had a lot to say to Wildcats who would want to join the military someday. Despite the perception that some military branches are better than others, Lule told us, “Any branch in the military is amazing and has so many benefits.” She also said you get to experience so many new things such as, “travel the world (while getting paid!), experience new cultures, create so many memories, but above all meet so many amazing people that later on become family.”
Catalina Cowen is a freshman in the Ukiah High school journalism class. She loves baking and hanging out with friends. She joined journalism because she likes writing about things that happen in the town around her. Catalina was born in Ukiah, California which is a big reason why she wanted to write about the city she is from. She looks forward to writing for the Ukiah High School Journalism class in her future years in High school.
