Todd Lewis

Senior Kate Sullivan stands with her mom Roxanne after being sworn into the military at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) building on Dec. 11.

On Dec. 12 senior Kate Sullivan made the decision to join the army. But it was not until recently that Sullivan chose this path.

“Originally I just wanted to go to Lindenwood for Criminology and Psychology then make my way into the Police Academy. It wasn’t until I got a phone call from a military recruiter that I decided to completely change my mind,” Sullivan said.

Just a couple months ago, Sullivan was convinced that joining the armed forces would come with a lot of benefits for her future.

“The recruiter explained that with my plans for my career in police work, that the army could actually help me get there faster and easier. After that conversation I changed my goal of becoming a cop to being in the Drug Enforcement Agency after training for the military,” Sullivan said.

The decision to train to be in the military came with a lot of paper-work and preparation. Sullivan needed to have background checks on herself and her entire family.

“The process was brutal. It was repetitive and every single phone number or reference I put on the form, the recruiter actually called to verify the information I put down! I also had to get a counselor recommendation,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan was required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to determine what jobs and positions she was eligible for within the army.

“Mr. [Patrick] Mooney gave me a Military Aptitude Test Book for Dummies to help me study. In the end, I ended up in the 93rd percentile, so I was qualified for every job the army offered,” Sullivan said.

After the test, Sullivan discussed her options with a job counselor. She decided she would train to be in the Military Police.

“Just with that decision alone, my first task was to stay downtown overnight and wake up at 4:30 a.m. for a physical at a federal building. My blood was drawn, and I was examined from head to toe,” Sullivan said.

Starting July 20, Sullivan will ship out to Fort Leonard Wood for 20 weeks for two phases of basic mental and physical training.

“I’m excited but also very nervous. I already know I’m going to be tazed, I’ll have combat training and will be completely broken down mentally. It’s going to be intense, but I know it will get better over time,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan will have a contract to be in the reserve for six years once training is over in December. She will have monthly drilling duties, but she will be able to start college.

“What I’m most looking forward to is the opportunities I’ll have coming out of being a member of the United States Army,” Sullivan said. “I will come out with a top security clearance, and can take all I’ve done and will do and eventually work my way up to the F.B.I.”