Pfc. Nicole Mathena

Pfc. Nicole Mathena, 18

Clifton, Colorado

"My grandfather was in the Navy, and I had a history teacher in high school who was in the Army. Hearing their experiences inspired me to enlist and hopefully get some of those experiences myself."

"I honestly thought Basic Combat Training would be harder. I thought every day I would be pushed to my limit and then past it."

"The most challenging part of BCT was learning how to work together. So many different backgrounds and views on the world being combined in one place made it difficult to learn how to work as a team."

"I would tell someone planning to start BCT to wake up each morning expecting push-ups and to get punished for someone else's mistakes. I would also tell them to recognize and focus on the good within each day."

"My MOS is 68W - Combat Medic Specialist. I chose this MOS because I want to make a difference. If I can save one life, or even just change one life, it would make it all worth it."