Expo Attendees Explore Careers With the U.S. Army
From leadership opportunities to drones, the U.S. Army exposed members to career paths and experiences they may not have expected at the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo.
“The Army itself has over 150 career opportunities,” says Russell Toof of the U.S. Army Reserve public affairs office.
“We’ve got the Army Band, supported by the 4th ID Band,” adds Major Brigette Miller. “We have the drone operators, our drill sergeants for the fitness challenge. We have the Army Marksmanship Unit you can hear behind me, as well as our fitness challenge, our vet corps and our military working dogs.”
Interactive displays at the Army booth gave members insight into those opportunities.
One of the interactive displays included a virtual drone simulation. “I know that the agriculture industry is also seeing a big change and innovation in drone technology as well,” says Captain Joshua Price, an FFA alumnus and now a part of the U.S. Army Marketing and Engagement Brigade. “If you have experience or interest in drones, that’s something you can also pursue in the military as well.”
Jayne Biewer of the Marengo FFA Chapter in Illinois was surprised to learn about the Army’s connection to drones. “I didn’t know that there was so much technology involved in the Army,” he says. “I didn’t know that [drones were] something that you learned to do within the Army.”
Another Marengo FFA member, Adele Kabe, drew parallels between the U.S. Army and National FFA. “There’s a lot [of] teamwork aspects both in FFA and the Army.”
“We love partnering with FFA,” concludes Major Miller. “What we love most about it is that most of your values align with ours in regards to leadership and building leadership in young adults as they continue to grow through their careers, as well as the career overlap with their technical and outreach with agriculture, as well what we do out in the field.”
