Veterans' Day is this Wednesday. It is a day to honor and remember the people still living or deceased that served in our military. As most of you know, we have many veterans at our very own school! Today, we got a chance to sit down with our very own Mrs. Kim McClung to talk about her experiences of serving in the military. 

·         What war did you serve in and for how many years?

I served in the Cold War. I was in active duty for 3 years and national guard for 2 years.

·         How did you get into military service? Were you drafted or did you enlist?

I enlisted.

·         How old were you when you joined?

22 years old.

·         Was this something you knew you always wanted to do or was it something you had to think about for a while?

This was my way of paying for law school. 

·         What was your job/assignment?

I was a Russian Voice Intercept Operator. I listened to Russian radio communications.

·         How would you describe the day in the life of a soldier?

Going to work, staying in uniform, rotating shifts.

·         Being a woman, how would you describe your experience? Would you consider it the same as any of the men you served with or was it very different?

Women could not go into combat during that time. There were different standards for women. For example, men had to do Different standards for women e.g. men had to do 40 push ups and women only had to do 11. Men had to run the mile in 8 min and women had to do it in 15. I hated the standards for women so I always tried to meet the men standards and I succeeded. 

·         Do you have any interesting stories?

None that I can share. If I did, I would probably have to shoot you. 

·         What weapons did you learn how to use?

M-16 Machine gun and grenades

·         What did you do after your service? Career-wise, going to back to school?

I was a stay-at-home mom.

·         Did you make any close friends that you kept in touch with?

I actually recently got in touch with a couple people. 

·         What would you tell a young person who would be interested in joining the military service, particularly a woman?

During your time in the military, there will be a lot of things that will drive you crazy, but when you look back on it, you will see that it was good growth experience.

Thank you very much for sitting down with us, Mrs. McClung. 

Royals, remember that Veterans day is not just some day off. So please take some time this Veterans day to thank the veterans in your life and around you. Stay safe and goodnight.

By Diana Wairimu & Imane Ayaba