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Wilkins returns home from military training

By punch bowl | May 29, 2008

Infamous and sometimes controversial College Republican Morgan Brooke Wilkins recently returned to her Kentucky home from military training.

Several months ago, Ms. Wilkins chose to join the military and subsequently left to complete her training.

This summer Ms. Wilkins is enrolled in summer classes. Additionally, she plans to enroll in the fall semster and complete a full year of school before deploying to Iraq in June 2009.

Below is a message written by Ms. Wilkins and posted to Facebook shortly after her arrival home.

After thousands of push-ups, countless miles of marching, and almost six long months of military training, I returned home to Louisville, Kentucky this weekend as Private First Class Wilkins. After much sweat, many doubts, and a lot of anticipation, I can finally claim the title of American Soldier.

The unit to which I will belong is the 125th Transportation Company Detachment 1, located in Bardstown, Kentucky. I will work there as an 88M; i.e., a Motor Transport Operator. Put bluntly and in childlike terms, my job consists of driving big trucks and firing big guns.

Shortly after arriving home and reporting to my new unit, I was informed by my Master Sergeant that I will be deploying to Iraq around June of 2009. When I learned this, I felt a combination of fear and relief. The fear was there because of my realization that graduating from training in no way represented the end of my journey, but rather the beginning. My reality is that the most challenging times of my military career are not behind me; they lie ahead. However, I felt relief knowing that my deployment is still twelve months away. That delay will allow me to complete another year of college and it will give my family an entire year to prepare.

Hands down, the best part about returning home from training was seeing my five-year-old son’s eyes light up when I walked through the front door. “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” he kept shouting, while he hugged me as tight as he could.

I realize more and more everyday what a profound sacrifice my family has made–and will continue to make–because of my decision to join the Armed Forces. My eyes fill with tears when I reflect on the magnitude of their unconditional support and their willingness to care for my son during my absence, even though they didn’t agree with my decision to enlist. The family members of servicemen and women deserve a great deal of credit and respect because with out them, most soldiers would be incapable of serving at all.

So, with a year before my first deployment and my big enlistment bonus in the bank, I look forward to spending the next twelve months not working in the traditional sense. I, instead, will focus on spending time with my family, maintaining a high GPA in school, strengthening my writing, and staying in shape.

I already miss a lot about the training life, even the Drill Sergeants and their 4 AM physical training. Still, I look forward, with excitement and with nervous energy, to what my future in the military will bring.

Topics: CR gossip |

6 Responses to “Wilkins returns home from military training”

  1. Hmm Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    How many men did she sleep with in the army?

  2. anonymous Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Hundreds of thousands of men and women have done this. Morgan Wilkins is not one that I would have chosen to highlight.

  3. CR Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    The first comment was completely out of line.

    Congrats to Morgan and everyones thanks and suport for her service.

  4. I wonder Says:
    May 29th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    So who is taking care of her son while she’s off on some ideological quest to find herself?

    No offense to Wilkins, but I find it hard to respect someone who leaves her son to go play soldier.

    (and please don’t post anything about “going to protect us” being more important because we all know that Iraq is not making this country any safer)

  5. Anonymous Says:
    June 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    To play soldier? I didn’t realize it was a game.

  6. Why Says:
    June 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve met Morgan on several occasions and seen her repeatedly insult people in the most idiotic ways and shine a bad light on about everything she touches; she is definitely not the brightest. I do agree with the statement about leaving her son. She refuses to take responsibility for her actions. If the CRNC had had better screening in their field rep program, you wouldn’t even know who she is. Instead, she publicly humiliated College Republicans. I really do not care to hear more about her, but the love(her looks)/hate relationship everyone has for her will not allow that.

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