When McAlester High School senior Sierra Harmon decided she wanted get a jumpstart on her life after high school, she made the decision to join the Oklahoma National Guard before graduating and with the educational benefits she receives, Harmon will have everything in place to make a seamless transition from high school to college.  

“I decided I wanted to join the military after the National Guard recruiters came and talked to my English class in March of this year. I chose the National Guard because it had the best education benefits, and I would be able to serve in Oklahoma,” said Harmon. 

After completing basic training, Harmon will complete AIT (Advanced Individual Training) next. 

“My MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is an 88 Mike, which is a Motor Transport Operator. After I graduate from AIT, I will be driving trucks like you sometimes see in caravans on the highway,” said Harmon. 

For the varsity volleyball player, the recruiting process was an easy one. 

“The recruiting process was good, my recruiter and I worked, and are still working, very well with each other. My enlistment process ended up taking a little longer than we first anticipated, but we were able to overcome the difficulties and I was able to enlist in July of this year,” said Harmon. 

Harmon has played volleyball all four years of high school and said she loves being in this team. Playing on a team and understanding what teamwork means is one thing Harmon expects to help her during her military career.

“I will not ship out to basic training until June of next year once I graduate; however, I anticipate that it will help because of my ability to work with a team to achieve a set goal and it will help with the physical demand that I will face once I get there,” said Harmon.

In her free time Harmon said she enjoys spending it with family, reading and being outdoors.