Military students bring qualities from service into Harding atmosphere Sophomore Jason Darden is not a normal Harding student. While the majority of his classmates throw frisbees, take naps and do laundry, Darden spends his weekend at Camp Robinson in Central Arkansas target shooting with his M16 machine gun. Dardenisa memberofthe Arkansas National Guard and among a number of students who serve in a branch of the United States Armed Forces or who has served prior to enrolling at Harding. Darden drives one hour to Conway every Tuesday evening, and his ROTC commitment also requires him to spend two weekends each month with his ROTC unit doing weapons training and land navigation exercises. Darden said the decision to join the military was an easy one. Darden aspires to one day become a general and attributes his drive for success to his father, an Army major. "When I was little, I saw dad come home in uniform and thought that was the coolest thing," Darden said. "I want to make my family proud. People think that since I am in the military, r m way more disciplined than they are, but I still have to motivate myself to do things I don't want to do." Freshman Eric Moseley spent four years in the Marine Corps before coming to Harding in the summer of2000. As a mortar specialist stationed in Hawaii, Moseley learned quickly that not everyone in the military approaches things from a Christian standpoint. The time he spent in the military also helped Moseley gain a new perspective on life. "I tend to think that it's not how fast you get through things, but how much you accomplish that's important; it's about how much fun you have too," Moseley said. The most valuable skill Moseley's military service taught him is what he calls "learning to do the impossible." "In the military you find yourselfinsituations where you have to get something done," he said. "You somehow find a way to get them done, and that's what it's all about." - Casey Neese Silas Orbison-Frankslon, Texas Kristin Organ-Tallahassee, Fla. Tessa Owen-Eckert, Colo. Monik OwenS-Cary. N.C. Nathan OwenS-Helena. Ala. Clay Pafford-Dos Palos, Calif. Audrey Palmer-Hagerstown, Md. Jessica Palmer-Kingwood. Texas Lindsay Palmer-cooper City, Fla. Arnie Parker-Booneville, Ark. Sara Parker-Murfreesboro, Tenn. Wesley Parker-Memphis, Tenn. Michael Patterson-Detroit, Mich. Amy PendleY-Selma, Ala. Daniel Penick-Summerville, s.c. Claudia Perez-Naranjos Veracruz, Mexico Stacy PerrY-Fort Worth, Texas Sam PeterS-Little Rock, Ark. Heather PetteY-Houston, Texas Jeannie PettY-Tullahoma, Tenn. Sophomore Jason Darden laughs with some friends while in his military uniform. Darden said one of the benefits from his military training is the power of positive thinking. Photo by Daniel Dubois. =~=::'::'-----------j llS Freshmen 8 People
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==