B_Shaddinger.jpgPfc. Benjamin Shaddinger, 18

Mandeville, Louisiana

“I joined the Army to be able to figure out life on my own and to leave behind a boring life at home.”
“When I first arrived at Basic Combat Training, I expected to be yelled at, kicked around and have no sleep. I truly expected it to be Hell on Earth.”
“The most challenging part of BCT would have to be the change of lifestyle, from going to doing whatever I wanted all the time to being forced to do it all one way was something I was not accustomed to.”
“Some advice I would give is to get used to a tight sleep schedule and to be early to anything you have to do.”
“My MOS is 91L-Construction Equipment Repairer. I chose it because I learned a lot about construction and tools when I was younger.”