The Family Stone become Citizen-Soldiers

Pvt. Cheyenne Stone and Pvt. Edwin Stone sit together during a briefing at a monthly drill in Kansas City. Both brother and sister have chosen to be Citizen-Soldiers and serve their state and country in the Missouri National Guard. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin/Missouri National Guard)

By Jennifer Archdekin
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Meet the Family Stone, two of the Missouri National Guard's newest recruits. Cheyenne and Edwin Stone are not only connected as siblings, but also as Citizen-Soldiers.

For Cheyenne, joining the National Guard originated with the idea that she would have a part time job her last two years of high school and a full time job during the summer while she was away at training.

"It gives me a job every month which is hard to find as a teenager," said Cheyenne. "Our parents aren't going to just hand us money. We have to work for what we get."

There are three younger siblings still at home, so the Stones know they have to contribute when it comes to spending money for entertainment and leisure items.

However, once Cheyenne started down her military path and completed basic training, she realized being a Soldier meant much more than just being employed.

"When you go through basic you get a sense of responsibility and a drive to do it," said Cheyenne. "The Guard teaches you the seven Army values and we are taught to live up to them."

After Cheyenne returned from basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., Edwin immediately saw a positive change in his sister and wanted that for himself. He recently enlisted, following in his sister's footsteps, making their monthly drill a Family affair.

"She has taken on a lot more responsibility around the house I've noticed," said Edwin.

After basic training she quickly realized how unique her summer vacation actually was.

"I got to throw a live grenade and shoot an M-16 all summer," said Cheyenne. "With the Guard we get to experience and do what most other people don't. Who gets to say they threw a live hand grenade and went through a gas chamber?"

Cheyenne's military experiences so far have already helped her put things into perspective.

"Since I've come back from basic training, school has been a lot easier," said Cheyenne. "I got a glimpse of the real world and have seen that there are more important things in life."

Though Cheyenne and Edwin enlisted at 17 years old, the benefits were overwhelming to join at an early age.
Cheyenne said her parents' first reaction was surprise because she had never talked about serving in the military. She said her dad was apprehensive at first because he didn't have all the facts. It took a long time to convince him, but he realized what Cheyenne stood to gain, and also Edwin a year later.

By enlisting at the age of 17, the Stones are eligible for retirement at 37. Out of their six-year contracts with the National Guard, they are non-deployable for at least two years, and potentially longer if enrolled in ROTC.

The Stones are posturing themselves now for success.

As a senior, Cheyenne is taking college credit courses that the National Guard is paying for, giving her a jump start on her college career. She graduates high school in May and will then train to be a combat medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Cheyenne plans to attend college, participate in the ROTC program and aspires to be a veterinarian.

After his junior year of school, Edwin will ship in May to Fort Sill, Okla. for basic training. In spring 2013 he will graduate high school and then receive advanced training to be an aircraft power train repairer. Edwin plans to attend college and study business management.

Cheyenne will later serve with Company B, 1107th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group in Springfield. Edwin will be with Detachment 3, Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion in Warrensburg.

The Stones are supported by their parents, Angel and Ed Stone of Leeton.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/