From Nuremberg to the National Guard: One Citizen-Soldier's journey

By: Scott Moyers
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - As a youngster growing up in Nuremberg, Stefanie Becker never thought she'd be leaving Germany.

Not to live, anyway. Not for good.

"I thought I might visit England or France or just travel," Becker said. "But I thought I'd live in Germany forever, raise my family there. But when we're young, doesn't everybody think that way about the place they're born?"

But her life didn't turn out the way she expected. Instead, she eventually moved half a world away to the United States, raised her children here, got two degrees from a university and joined the Missouri National Guard.

Even those impressive cross-continental accomplishments didn't happen in any sort of traditional sense.

Becker, 38, came to the U.S. 16 years ago - on the heels of a marriage to a U.S. Soldier serving overseas. But she didn't start college until she was 32. She didn't join the Missouri National Guard until two years ago, when she was 36, a relatively late start to a military career.

"I don't do anything in the traditional way," Becker said. "But I don't feel as old as I am anyway. But this is the way it has turned out and I really enjoy it."

Spc. Becker was recently hired as a full-time supply technician to work at the Missouri National Guard armory in Cape Girardeau as part of the 735th Quartermaster Force Provider Company's Detachment 3. Before that, she served as a traditional Guard Soldier while she attended classes at Southeast Missouri State University.

"Life was just happening," she said. "I was happy raising a family. But I had always liked the military. I was always intrigued by it. So after my children got older, I started looking at the Guard. I've really loved my time here."

Years after she came to the U.S., she divorced but decided to stay here to raise her children. She was surprised by how similar the people of the U.S. were to her friends and family in Germany.

"It's not really that different," she said. "Most Americans are friendly and there are lots of Americans in Nuremberg. The only big difference is that many Americans are pretty conservative, at least in this area."


In her new full-time job, Becker will serve as the supply technician for the company as well as the supply specialist for the unit during weekend drills. Becker has dual degrees in international business and German from Southeast Missouri State University and is currently working on her master's degree in business administration.

"She will be a very educated asset to our company," said Sgt. 1st Class Jay Moore, a platoon sergeant and full-time readiness technician for the 735th. "There were several candidates for the job, but her supply background and knowledge really put her over the top. She was very knowledgeable during the interview process and we believe she's going to be a very valuable asset."

Becker's duties will include performing maintenance on all unit equipment, making sure equipment is assigned and accounted for, preparing monthly inventories and food reports, managing all clothing records as well as passing all inspections. She also will be required to undergo additional training within a year of her hire date.

Becker - who speaks fluent English and German and some French and Spanish - said she loves being in the Guard and serving her adoptive country.

"I love that I do this full-time and I get a chance to serve this country. I look at the United States as my home now. I'm a citizen. I've lived here for so long, it is home. They're both my countries."