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Behind the Uniform: Maj. Faith Courvelle

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4393″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592934442818{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_text css=”.vc_custom_1593176551320{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;}”]Maj. Faith Courvelle is an assistant operations officer and works to continually monitor and update mission information for the operations center in Adelphi, Maryland. With a multitude of missions being run across the state, proper planning and coordination is essential in the state response to the COVID-19 virus. Courvelle came to her current position as a broadening assignment in operations. A position she says has taught her about a different part of the military gave her a different perspective. The skills learned during this mission will help her more effectively complete her duties when she returns to the medical side of operations. The Maryland National Guard is currently working throughout the state, aiding in a variety of different missions, including food distribution at local schools, churches, community centers and food banks. In order for these missions to be successful, it’s crucial for the flow of information to be consistent and accurate.

Q: Time in Service 

A: 4 years Active duty Army, 13 years National Guard

Q: Why did you join the MDNG?

A: I got a 4 year nursing scholarship with the University of Scranton. Then I went to Walter Reed as a nurse. When I got off active duty to tell you the truth I didn’t even know about the National Guard. It was a checklist when I was leaving Walter Reed. I needed to go talk to the reserve recruiter. That is when I found out about the National Guard and it seemed like a great way of melding the military part and the civilian part together. Where I could still do the military one weekend a month two weeks a year. So I jumped at the opportunity.

Q: How does it feel to work in your community?

A: It feels great. It’s been great to be here in Troop Command where we’re actually doing things. We are helping distribute food, helping with the homeless population and handing out various items. It feels good to be helping because I know everyone is struggling a little right now 

Q: What part of your training has prepared you most for this activation?

A: My nursing experience has prepared me a lot. Being in the military it has prepared me for operations and being able to work with and handle all the stress of the missions we are getting and the quick turnaround of getting products out so our battalions can react 

Q: What is your favorite part of being a soldier?

A: Working with soldiers, and getting to know them. I love that in the National Guard everybody brings their own specialty. They might be 68W, but in the civilian world they are doing something totally different. They bring a level of expertise and a different perspective, which you wouldn’t have if you didn’t do those jobs. It’s great when they bring that extra knowledge it makes everyone a little better and our products a little bit better because we have that different perspective.

Q: Do you think people in the National Guard are the same or different than civilians?

A: I feel like National Guard Soldiers are superheroes. Not only do they wear this uniform, they have a job .They have a family. They are balancing multiple things together and in my opinion they are the real superstars. I know from the short time that I was a regular drilling Soldier it is very difficult to keep that balance to just come in on the weekend.

Q: How are you dealing with the constantly changing situation and/or guidelines?

A: Just taking deep breaths in and relaxing. Also just being flexible. Knowing that things may change, but there is nothing that we can’t handle, especially together. I look at us all as one big family. So even if I may not know the answer, the person next to me does and together we will figure it all out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]