Former Dogies complete National Guard training

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Two Newcastle High School graduates and another young man with Newcastle connections graduated from the Recruit Sustainment Program for the Wyoming Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion on Sept. 6, along with 13 other individuals. 
“These soldiers completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, and are now ready to join their new units within the Wyoming Army National Guard,” according to a Sept. 20 press release. 
Pvt. Kyle Haslam and Pvt. Michael Troupe, both 2019 NHS graduates, and Pvt. Trey Svoboda, a Hulett High School graduate, were among the 15 who completed their training. 
Haslam will serve with Charlie Company, 297th Infantry Regiment, and is the son of Starla Starkey and Amber Haslam. 
“I joined the Guard because I wanted to become a better person,” Haslam said in the press release, adding that he will also be attending college using the Guard’s 100% in-state tuition benefit. 
“Soldiers in the Wyoming Army National Guard receive opportunity and benefits including 100% in-state tuition coverage, health insurance, and retirement benefits for part-time service,” the release says. 
Both Troupe and Svoboda will serve with the 920th Forward Support Company as motor transport operators. 
Troupe joined the Guard to “carry on the family tradition” started by his grandfather, who served in the military, as well as a means to pay for college. He is the son of Michelle and Michael Pehringer. 
“The benefits of joining the Guard are great, but I personally joined to bring honor to my family and to be able to travel the world and attain knowledge through my military job,” Svoboda said in the release. 
He added that he hopes to continue his military career and reenlist after his current contract expires. Svoboda is the son of Troy and Angie Svoboda, the grandson of Becky and Jim Bond of Newcastle. He is engaged to Jazmyne Motley.