Indiana Army National Guard Pvt. Jose Lopez, 18, of Warsaw, did so well at basic training over the summer that he received an honor no one else did.
The Warsaw Community High School senior went to basic training June 10 at Fort Sill, Okla.
Sgt. Brandon Fraser said when Lopez was at Fort Sill, “He did an excellent job at the task that he was tasked to do. So he ended up graduating as the Honor Graduate, and he received a coin from the commander for that achievement. The Honor Graduate is essentially the best or one of the best soldiers there, so he did a very, very good job while he was down there to receive that award and to receive the Commander Coin.”
The decision on who receives the honor starts with the drill sergeants.
“The instructors down there talk amongst themselves, and then they present that to their leadership, which is where he got the coin from, the company commander there,” Fraser said.
When Fraser talked to Lopez about it, he said Lopez was extremely excited about earning the honor.
“It’s a cool award to get, for sure,” Fraser said.
Lopez went to basic training the summer between his junior and senior year of high school, which Fraser said is a big help for the soldiers.
“One, they have something to do during the summer, and, two, they’re getting paid the entire time. They’re able to knock out one of the bigger parts of their initial training in the summertime right before they come back for their senior year,” Fraser explained.
Lopez enlisted as a combat medic specialist. Fraser said Lopez scored well on his initial test to qualify for that.
When Fraser asked Lopez what his reason for joining the National Guard was, Lopez told him he was interested in serving his country and his community, which is a big thing that the Indiana Army National Guard does because they can serve their country and community while still living in their community.
“He also expressed that he was interested in our college benefits that we offer, which are 100% paid state tuition, as well as - in his circumstance since he scored over a 50 on his placement test - he also qualifies for the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which is essentially like a loan or a grant, and the National Guard Supplemental Grant,” Fraser said.
Since Lopez enlisted as what’s called a 68 Whiskey, which is a job title, he now qualifies - if he chooses to - to become either EMT certified or other certifications that will help him in the medical field. That’s all paid for by the Indiana Army National Guard.
“So there’s a very big opportunity for him to get schooling and to get certifications. Even if he decides he does not want to do civilian medicine, he still will have that military medicine background, so he will always have that to fall back on,” Fraser said. “The more opportunities he can get himself, the better.”
After graduating high school, Lopez will be attending Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, for his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and complete his schooling for combat medic specialist. After finishing his AIT, he will return back to his hometown of Warsaw and placed in his first unit.
Lopez signed up for a six-year contract with the National Guard.
If anyone is interested in joining the Indiana Army National Guard like Lopez, they can contact Fraser at 574-904-8639.
“And another thing that they can do, too, is if they see Pvt. Lopez - whether that’s through parents reading the article or grandparents reading the article - if they reach out to him, I’ve told him he can give them my number because at the end of the day, it’s a big network,” Fraser said, going into explaining the referral program. “So, before Pvt. Lopez went to basic training, if he were to refer somebody, he would get a $1,000 for any qualified individual over the age of 18. And he also would have been able to gain a rank and promotion.”
Now, if Lopez refers anyone to Fraser, he will get the $1,000 referral bonus.
“That goes for everybody, too. It’s not just him. If you refer somebody to me, then you would qualify then for that $1,000 promotion. So it’s not just for people that have enlisted or people who have been in the military before. It’s for anybody. And that’s qualifying individuals over the age of 18 when they enlist,” he explained.