Utah’s National Guard was formed on Mar. 24, 1894. The National Guard can consist of both the Federal and State roles. During statewide emergencies, such as storms, fires, earthquakes or civil disturbances, the governor calls the guard.
In the last 37 years, the guard changed the basic training. About 20 years ago, it was six weeks of physical training and education. Now it is eight weeks, which includes Warrior Week. Warrior Week is when the private training is living in the field. The point is to teach more live scenarios.
Christina Lock, a Human Resources Specialist. has been working for the National Guard for 21 years and eight months.
Lock said, “As the HR specialist I am the position manager, I classify jobs and supervise the staff.”
When Lock started in the National Guard, she joined to go to college.
“It was the only way I was going to be able to pay,” she said.
Once she joined and went through basic training, she ended up staying in a full-time position.
Within a full time position people must be enlisted in any of the army branches. This policy is for Utah National Guard, not all states. She is in the Air National guard and part of a civil service. She will have two separate retirements and will be able to work for both. If an individual only works part time, they wouldn’t need to be in the army.
“Being away from my family is the biggest drawback of working. I was gone for a while in Iraq and it was really tough,” said Lock. Even with the hardships, Lock said, “Being in the military, you get that sense of pride for defending your country, knowing what I do is a benefit to our country and I’m helping other people. If I had to do it over, I would join the National Guard again.”