CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - One unique factor when speaking about Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers is the age factor. For most Soldiers serving in this capacity, they make life-long careers out of being Citizen-Soldiers. For two members assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade, this is no different.
Master Sgt. Hylasue Howington is a 30-year veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Joining the Guard at the age of 28, Howington has spent the past 30 years working with personnel in the engineer, finance, and information management functions. Throughout this time, she has encountered several aspects of military life she never thought she would see.
The Pleasant View, Tenn. native is currently serving in the transportation section of the 230th Sustainment Brigade’s Support Plans and Operations section. Like most Soldiers, some of her earliest memories come from basic training. The same can be said for Pfc. Fredricka Horton of Baton Rouge, La. Horton, a three-year veteran with the 342nd Transportation Company, currently assigned to the Tennessee Army National Guard brigade. Both Howington and Horton vividly remember the gas chamber portion of their respective basic training courses. Though there is at least a 25-year difference between the two in terms of time in service, the sting of the tear gas remains as fresh in their minds as though it happened yesterday.
For both Soldiers, family and friends have been their biggest supporters. For Horton, her service is a historical event for her family, as she is the youngest and only woman to serve in the Armed Forces from her family. Howington has served as a role model for other members of her family. “I have two nieces that joined the military,” laughed Howington, “though they joined the Air Force because of my horror stories about the Army.” Howington continued, “Joking aside, I am still very proud of both of them for making the decision to serve.”
Bloodlines and friends back home are not the only supporters of the youngest and oldest Soldiers within the brigade. Both have developed deep bonds with their fellow service members, extending their family boundaries. “Sometimes I feel like I am being treated like the baby of the unit,” explained Horton. This comes solely from the fact she is the youngest Soldier within their ranks, and her fellow Soldiers wish to ensure she is okay and capable of serving to the best of her abilities.
Both Howington and Horton were command directed to deploy with their assigned units. Howington, a full-time guard employee with the Tennessee Military Department, came on this deployment near the end of her time in service. She has less than one year left before retirement and cannot wait until the day comes. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy serving in the military, but after 30 years of continuous service, she is ready to retire and spend time with her family again. “We recently got our (travel trailer),” exclaimed Howington. “It was hard work and it took 30 years, but we got it and it’s going on the road as soon as I get back.” Horton, being command directed immediately out of basic training for this deployment, has yet to start a family. Upon returning home, she intends to finish college, get married to her fiancé and begin a family of her own. Though she has thoughts of starting a family, by no means does Horton see herself ending her military career. “I haven’t been in the military long enough to really have accomplished anything,” said Horton. “At times, I feel inferior to, and intimidated by, higher ranking Soldiers, but I consider myself to continue (to) grow into a good Soldier.”
Being the oldest Soldier in the brigade, Howington feels as though she is a mentor to those around her of a younger age. “It is difficult sometimes to keep up with the younger (Soldiers),” commented Howington. “But at the same time, I have to remind them I have been here a lot longer than they have, and being the elder, they need to listen to me.” Howington’s many years of service have earned her the respect of many within the brigade. Horton, being the youngest, still “rolls with the punches,” as she says, taking things as they come. Though her responsibilities and duties within her unit are growing her into a more professional and experienced Soldier on a daily basis, she does sit back from time to time and enjoy being the “baby of the unit.”
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