For extended periods of training, the day of a soldier can be long, but I can ,t say I don ,t enjoy going to demolition and firing ranges just like every other little boy has dreamed of doing. When it came to multitasking, senior Lucas Heffner had it down. Like any senior, Heffner worked toward graduating and receiving his bachelor's degree in management information systems. However, there was more to Heffner than met the eye: during his sophomore year, Heffner enlisted in the U.S. Army. "The Army serves as motivation to keep myself in shape but has also taught me that I can tackle any task put in front of me," Heffner said. "It's a constant reminder that I'm a role model whether I want to be or not. For extended periods of training, the day of a soldier can be long, but I can't say I don't enjoy going to demolition and firing ranges just like every other little boy has dreamed of doing. Bringing 'Call of Duty' to life can be fun." From getting paid to get an education to previous loans being paid to a thousand other reasons, it was a no-brainer to Heffner that the advantages of enlisting outweighed the cons. According to Heffner, what ultimately convinced him was "the thought of needing to take advantage of the youth God has given him." Some of Heffner's first experiences in the U.S. Army included basic training, drilling one weekend a month in Hot Springs and even searching for roadside bombs. "I'm a 21 Bravo combat engineer, a specialist and team leader as part of the 704th Engineering Company out of Hot Springs," Heffner said. "Every drill is a vacation of sorts and it's a good excuse for a weekend getaway from Searcy; I've developed relationships with my peers to the point that I look forward to Hot Springs each and every month." Senior Kyle Binkley said it was easy to see how Heffner had grown from his time in the Army. "First of all, he lost a lot of weight and looked like Brad Pitt on 'Fight Club,"' Binkley said. "Also, as cliche as it sounds, the military has given him discipline in all aspects of life." Heffner said his military experience had definitely affected his Harding experience as a student. "Mostly it has given me a different view of life in general," Heffner said. "I have a true appreciation for a kind soul now and can spot one immediately." As of 2010, Heffner had about four years left of his Active Reserve Enlistment. At the end of that period of time he would have the option of being honorably discharged, reenlisting or chasing after other military dreams. Heffner also had plans of attending Officer School once he received his bachelor's degree. "I can't tell you where I'll be in 5 years because I fly by the seat of my britches," Heffner said. "But if I was deciding today, I'd be in for 20 years and become a 2nd Lieutenant soon after I graduate from Harding." Whatever Heffner decided, he would not trade his time at Harding or in the military for anything in the world. "Lucas has shown me that sometimes you just need to take life for what it is and either pout over it or love it," Binkley said. "Lucas has learned to take life as it is and make the best of it." Corrie Martin Bailey Williams Psychology Rachel Williams Humanities Bradley Wolhuter Management Info. Systems Abby Work Accounting LoBianco Wright Biochem & Malec. Bio. jacob Wrye Missions Benjamin Yaeger Management jonathan Yoder Interactive Media Megan Youngblood Nursing Amanda Younger Biology seniors 75
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