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Soldiers

Army National Guard Paves the Way for Success in Sofia Olds' Life

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sofia Olds, a U.S. Army Reserve warrant officer candidate, credits her experience in the Army National Guard with teaching her invaluable skills such as time management and stress coping, allowing her to balance her full-time job and pursue higher education. Olds joined the Florida Army National Guard at 20 as a motor transport operator and spent 12 years working her way up to staff sergeant. She also earned an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in social work while deployed to Iraq. Now, she is pursuing a career as a licensed clinical social worker to help fellow veterans.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sofia Olds joined the Florida Army National Guard at age 20 as a motor transport operator and spent 12 years working her way up to staff sergeant.
  • She earned an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in social work while deployed to Iraq and using the GI Bill and state program "Educational Dollars for Duty" to cover 100 percent of her education costs.
  • Olds credits the Army National Guard with teaching her time management and stress coping skills, essential for balancing her full-time job and pursuing higher education.
  • She now works towards becoming a licensed clinical social worker to help fellow veterans, citing her goal to work for the VA as a re-adjustment counselor.
  • Olds obtained a conditional release from her Active Guard Reserve (AGR) position to transition to a part-time warrant officer candidate role.
  • Her husband's stories of travel and exciting work in the military inspired her to join the National Guard.
  • Olds has used various benefits, including the GI Bill and the Florida National Guard's state program, to fund her education.
  • She and her husband purchased their dream home with the help of the Veterans Affairs' Home Loan Program.

Statistics:

  • Olds served in the Army National Guard for 12 years.
  • She got an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in social work.
  • It takes 1,500 hours to become a licensed clinical social worker.
  • Olds has obtained 100 percent coverage of her education costs using the GI Bill and state program.
  • Olds credits her military experience for teaching her time management and stress coping skills.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Defense American Forces Press Service: Sofia Olds credits Army National Guard with a lifetime of success.

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