Area soldier joins Army to serve
Staff reporter
"Ready at a moment's notice to serve their country" is the mission of U.S. Army National Guard.
The oldest component of the Armed Forces, national guardsmen have been fighting in every major American war since 1637.
Simon Makovec, son of Gail and Marissa Makovec of Ramona, became a guardsman following his graduation in 2002 from Centre High School.
"Initially I joined for the challenge of completing basic training," Makovec said. More importantly, Makovec said he joined to "protect and serve" his country.
On Thursday, Makovec and his unit, Battery C 1st Battalion of the 161st Field Artillery unit were returning home following two weeks of training at Ft. Riley and stopped at Marion Pizza Hut at Timber Road and U.S.-56 for lunch. The unit returned by U.S.-56 due to construction on U.S.-50.
The restaurant was chosen because of the location and available parking for 15 military vehicles in the convoy.
Captain Russell Kinzie was the officer in charge of the unit.
Part of the unit, 21 soldiers, traveled by convoy and the remainder of the 60-soldier unit returning by chartered bus, Kinzie said.
The majority of the soldiers were from south central Kansas and worked out of the Newton and Kingman armories. Kinzie was from the Newton armory.
"Some personnel of the 161st were recently deployed to Leavenworth, Ft. Riley, and McConnell," Kinzie said, "to provide force protection in Operation Noble Eagles."
Increased security at military posts have required guardsmen from Kinzie's unit to be deployed to provide post security, roaming patrols, and assist military police as needed.
"It's a little bit of a difference from our original guards' mission," explained Kinzie. "Some NCOs (non-commissioned officers) have been deployed to Iraq.
Kinzie anticipates his unit will be deployed overseas in the coming months.
"There's a good possibility this unit will be called within a year," Kinzie said, adding the unit is "not locked into a mission at this time."
"If I get called up, I'll respect it and will serve as asked," Makovec said.
Playing army games as a kid, it seemed like the natural thing to do.
"I decided it was the best thing for me to do," Makovec said. He also admired a cousin who had joined the U.S. Army.
Makovec enlisted for six years which will pay for his college education and give him an extra paycheck each month.
He's committed to serving in the guards one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.
"It's helped me in everything I've done — schooling, jobs, just all around," Makovec said.
In the guards, Makovec drives and operates a 155-millimeter howitzer armored tank.
The 155-mm M109 series is a self-propelled, highly mobile combat support weapon. The vehicle provides armored combat support, is air transportable, internally loaded, and has excellent ground mobility.
Makovec also is an assistant gunner.
"It wasn't what I originally signed up to do," Makovec commented. Eventually all members of his unit will learn every job in the unit.
"Our unit is different because we do train in other areas," Makovec added.
A student at K-State Salina, Makovec is doing an technical internship at Excel Corporation in Dodge City. He plans to graduate in 2005.
During the recent training period, Makovec was one of four who earned army achievement medals for leadership in the field.
The recognition was given to soldiers who took charge and led a group of other soldiers during the training, Makovec said.
Makovec is planning to make the guards his career.
"I recommend to anyone who's interested in guards to talk with a recruiter about joining," Makovec said.
