Behind the Uniform: Spc. Jason Schollenberger
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4396″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591893705511{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;border-left-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”]By Sgt. James Nowell-Coleman, 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spc. Jason Schollenberger, a motor transport operator with the 1229th Transportation Company, had an early morning along with his fellow Soldiers at the Maryland Food Bank, in Halethorpe, Maryland. He whipped the forklift back and forth loading pallet after pallet onto the backs of the light medium tactical vehicles that were in line and ready to be loaded before making deliveries. Schollenberger is no stranger to loading and moving equipment and has put his skills to good use since called upon to support the state effort against COVID-19. He is a Glen Burnie, Maryland, resident, a husband, and father of three children.
Q: Time in Service?
A: Six years
Q: Why did you join the MDNG?
A: I joined to try something different, and this job is similar to what I was doing in the civilian world.
Q: How does it feel to work in your community?
A: It’s definitely different. During the [2015 civil unrest in Baltimore], a lot of people weren’t necessarily happy to see us. Where now, people are appreciative and know we are there just trying to help out.
Q: What part of your training has prepared you most for this activation?
A: As an 88M [motor transport operator] we try to do as much driving as possible, for vehicle familiarization. With operating the forklift, well that’s something I have learned as a technician and my previous [civilian] experience.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a Soldier?
A: Driving, just getting out there behind the wheel.
Q: Have you ever served on state active duty?
A: I was activated for the Baltimore civil unrest and I have supported a blizzard but this is completely different from either one of those. So it’s new to everybody. Generally we work with the fire departments with the paramedics during the blizzard transporting them around.
Q: Do you think Soldiers in the National Guard share some similarities with civilians?
A: Oh, it’s way harder. I know a lot of people that do have regular jobs and aren’t used to this. They kind of get into a bind on having to balance the two things and now you have this state activation. It’s definitely a little bit more of a struggle. The difference is coming out of that civilian work environment back into what you went to basic training and advanced individual training for.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]