CHS Alum Sgt. Angela Dunston Speaks To EPIC Students about Army National Guard

CHS alumna Sgt. Angela Dunston visited EPIC on Thursday afternoon to speak to students about her experience in the Army National Guard as part of the Dress4Success speaker series. 

Dunston joined the guard a year after graduating from high school with the intention of gaining better opportunities for herself through the benefits of being in the Army. She started as a human resources specialist and worked through several other positions before becoming a recruiter with the ROTC program. 

“Joining the Army doesn’t mean you’re going to battle. There are more than 150 jobs outside of combat in the Army,” said Dunston. “The Army is designed to be self sustaining, so keep an open mind.”

Dunston highlighted the importance of having a plan when joining. “You can still pursue a full-time career or schooling and serve part-time in the Army.” 

Joining in a part-time capacity requires service one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer once basic training is completed. Basic training is a 10-week program where soldiers learn combat training, discipline, structure, physical therapy, medical treatment, land navigation, confidence, team building, effective communication, proper grenade throwing techniques, and how to move with a weapon. 

Once basic training is complete, soldiers then move to advanced individual training (AIT) where they learn how to do their jobs and acquire any certifications needed. Then soldiers can go to trade school, college, or in the field to start working.

The Army includes benefits such as free tuition to any state school or trade school, veterans home loans which require no down payment, low-cost health and dental insurance, paid job training, and veterans preference when applying for jobs. 

To start the joining process, students must complete the ASVAB test which will be offered at EPIC on April 22, 2025. If you are interested in taking the test, reach out to Dr. Christine Zubairu (czubairu@cheltenham.org) or Dr. Ben Hammond (bhammond@cheltenham.org). 

EPIC’s Dress4Success program is organized by Special Education teacher Keith Freeman. Check back for more Dress4Success guest speaker stories throughout the school year.