By: Aubrey Ennis/ Multimedia Student

It was Fall 2024. I was balancing a full class load, a part-time job, and the demands of being a college athlete. That life already tested my limits—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But then came a challenge I hadn’t prepared for: I was told I might not be able to return to school because of financial hardship. 

I had two choices. Give up the sport I loved—basketball—and take on a full-time job to afford tuition while still being a full-time student or walk away from college entirely. Neither option felt fair, and both felt like losing a part of myself. Basketball had always been my outlet, my safe space. And Delval? That had become home. 

Then, one email changed everything. 

It was about the Army National Guard. They offered something I desperately needed: tuition assistance. But more than that, they offered structure, purpose, and a new uniform to wear—one that would allow me to keep wearing the others. That’s when I made the decision to serve. 

It wasn’t easy. Joining the Guard meant Basic Training, new responsibilities, and a whole new layer of sacrifice. But it also meant I didn’t have to give up my education. I could still pursue my goals—and now, I had the support to do it. 

Since then, my reality has become more demanding than ever. I’m still a full-time student. I’m still deeply involved in campus life—showing up for student organizations, mentoring others, and leading in ways that matter. My days are long, my commitments are heavy, and there are moments where quitting seems easier than continuing. But I didn’t come this far to slow down. 

This isn’t just a story of managing time. It’s a story of grit, transformation, and the will to keep going when the odds are stacked high. It’s about what it takes to wear multiple uniforms—jersey, fatigues, and student ID—and give your all to each one, every single day. 

At first I didn’t know much, all I knew was that they provided tuition assistance. However, after doing more research and speaking with a recruiter, I concluded that this might be more than just a way to solve a financial issue. It might be an opportunity to challenge myself, develop in previously unimaginable ways, and contribute to a cause greater than myself. 

So, I took the risk. I signed up. 

I attended basic training this past summer. It wasn’t at all what I had anticipated, let me tell you. The weather was harsh, the days were long, and I was put to the ultimate test both physically and mentally. However, in the midst of the early wakeups, obstacle courses, and teamwork training, I began to transform. 

I discovered a strength I was unaware I possessed. When no one else would take the initiative, I discovered how to lead. I gained the ability to trust, follow, and persevere even when my legs felt like they were giving out. Instead of being based on convenience, the friendships I formed were based on shared struggles. I also learned that my uniform signified that I was a proud member of a larger group. 

After that experience, I’m a different person when I return to college. I stand taller, think more clearly under pressure, and take advantage of every chance I get in a different way. I’m still a student, an athlete but even more I hide the secret of serving the people around me.  

Looking forward, I am more than ever certain in my capacity to confront any difficulties that lie ahead. My time in the Guard has helped me see the inner strength I have to conquer challenges and taught me to approach everything with intention. Whether I work in sports, the military, or something totally unrelated, I now understand the path will never be simple—but it will always be worthwhile. 

 

Now, once a month, I go to drill. It reminds me that my duty to the Guard is continuous and that the obligations I bear do not cease following Basic Training. These monthly drills help me to stay grounded, preserve my physical and mental discipline.  

They have come to be quite important in my life since they remind me that service is a constant dedication forming my identity every single day, not only in major events. 

Reflecting on this path, I see it’s not only about juggling classes, basketball, and the National Guard. It’s about welcoming obstacles and discovering power in areas I never imagined searching. Every day I am discovering how to negotiate the complexity of life with tenacity, intention, and an unrelenting dedication to something larger than myself.

The most gratifying places seem to be on the most difficult roads. Whether I’m wearing the uniform of a student, an athlete, or a soldier, I have found that every role shapes me differently. The obstacles I encounter now form the basis for the person I will become tomorrow as I keep serving, learning, and developing. I didn’t pick this route to make life easier; I chose it to make myself better—and I’ll keep going, no matter what.