In 2014, Ryan Fagan enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He is a trumpet player in the 202nd Army band. He joined the National Guard because he thought it was a good opportunity to provide for his family and it allowed him to have a career in music. When you enlist in the military, you already know that you are probably going to stay away from your family for a while. This is what Ryan Fagan has to do for one week every month and two weeks during every summer because of his training. As a member of the band, his training involves: music rehearsals, concerts, rifle qualification, and physical fitness. “My first night of Basic Combat Training was very bad. The Drill Sergeants kept us awake for more than 24 hours. During the night, we had to do paperwork, receive our uniforms, and get medically cleared to begin training. That first night was a mentally draining,” stated Ryan Fagan. Thankfully, he and his unit have never been deployed to a combat zone, so he has never been away for a long time and he has never had really scary experiences. 

“ I would recommend my career, and I would tell him to really think about what kind of job he wants in the Army. Do a lot of research and try to pick a job that will give you a skill that you can use as a civilian. Being a soldier obviously influences your whole life, even your everyday life, and teaches you important lessons. The military has taught me many life lessons such as self-discipline and mental resilience. These are lessons that I apply in my everyday life. My experience in the band has shown me that the military takes tradition very seriously. The U.S. military has had a history of high standards and excellence. The first lesson I learned is that you have to try to stay positive no matter the situation. The second lesson I learned is that self-discipline is very important in every area of life,” stated Ryan Fagan.