FORT SILL, Okla., Aug. 3, 2017 -- Editor's note: Families of the five National Guard Soldiers in the Split Option Program followed in the Fort Sill Tribune were interviewed during Family Day.
Although they had only spent a few minutes with their Soldiers, the families noticed more self-confidence, more discipline, and leaner physiques in their Soldiers.
Pvt. LeBlanc
Tabitha McKelvin, who wore a "Proud Mom of a U.S. Army Soldier LeBlanc" T-shirt, said of her son, Pvt. Tyler LeBlanc, "I've been trying to get him to join the Army for quite a while. My father was in the military. That's one of the reasons."
LeBlanc's girlfriend, Molly Smith, said she was excited for him when he made the decision to join, but also worried. "I know he's very determined, so I knew it would be something really good for him." She also noticed he was "very skinny."
LeBlanc smiled and said it was the physical training that did it. "I got that PT score up high!"
Smith said getting his letters was a highlight. "I felt like it was like Christmas. I'd wait by the door 'til the mail came."
LeBlanc said he'd recommend the Army to his friends.
"It's a good stepping stone to do better in life, to shape yourself to be disciplined."
With a military occupational specialty of 13B cannoneer, he will return to Fort Sill for advanced individual training next summer, after he completes college, unless he is successful in changing his MOS to 68W combat medic.
Pfc. Dibbins
Pfc. Rachel Dibbins' family came from San Diego and Portland, Ore. to celebrate her achievement.
Her mother Donna Dibbins laughed when asked how she felt when her daughter wanted to join the Army.
"You can be honest, Mom," said Pfc. Dibbins, joining her in laughter.
Donna said she thought it was a good idea because her daughter wanted to use her psychology degree to help military veterans.
"This was a good way to get into the military and get their trust."
Her uncle and military veteran, Steve Dibbins, said, "I'm super proud of her and her dedication. The reason she's here is a bigger purpose to help people and that's always something to be proud of. I respect what she's doing."
Tim Dibbins, her father, is a former submariner in the Navy, said, "My brother Steve and I both served in the military, so we have a lot of respect for what they do and are proud she chose to serve."
Pfc. Dibbins said she's in an officer program in college and will likely get to do some recruiting and mentoring of new recruits.
"It's been a really good experience," she said of basic training. "It's been hard but it was definitely worth it, and I'm excited to go back to school."
Pvt. McDonald
Tambur and Greg McDonald were very proud of their son Pvt. Shane McDonald, as was his girlfriend Grace Overman.
Tambur described herself as an Army brat, and noticed a new self-confidence in her son. Greg said of his son that he was "thrilled he found a calling in life and had a direction he wanted to go."
Overman said she was excited when McDonald decided to join the Army. "I was bummed he was going away because I missed him like crazy."
McDonald is in the ROTC at Christoper Newport University, in Newport News, Va., and said his experience will help him as an officer to understand what new Soldiers face in basic training.
Pfc. Cinnamon
Pfc. Cailin Cinnamon's family was hard to miss.
They all wore olive drab T-shirts with "Team Cinnamon" written on them, decorated with a stars-and-stripes heart.
Being from Garber, Okla., the Team Cinnamon contingent was a large one.
Her mother, Gretchen Cinnamon and her "nana" Judy Lundgren said they were surprised when their daughter and granddaughter decided to join the Army.
"I thought 'WOW!'" said Gretchen. "Yes, I was worried, and very proud of her. She's 17 and I wasn't prepared for that."
"She's a very brave girl," said Lundgren, who said it was especially impressive when she became a platoon guide as one of the youngest Soldiers.
Her aunt said, "She's made a very long list of all the snacks she wants."
That included root beer, warm brownies and ice cream.
They shared Pfc. Cinnamon's letters home on a family chat group and were especially taken with her hand-drawn emojis.
"She was very emotional when she was on the phone," said Gretchen.
She said jokingly that she could help the transition back to high school life.
"I could wake her up at 4 o'clock in the morning just for old time's sake."
Pvt. Riley
Pvt. DeJon Riley of New Orleans, said his family was unable to attend his graduation.
He and his battle buddies were busy checking their cell phones, recently returned to them, and like most of the other new Soldiers, wanted to head off-post for non-Army food.
"I'm feeling relief. Very much relief," he said, with his trademark boyish grin.
"I hate most of the training. It's hot. I'm very uncomfortable most of the time. But I'd rather be here than out on the streets in New Orleans."
After his senior year in high school, Riley will head off to AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to train as an 88M truck driver.
He has three friends joining through the Stripes for Buddies program, and he'll earn his own stripes when they follow through.
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