FORT KNOX, Ky. – An Army path isn’t always linear. Many decide to change courses or try different things before finding what’s right for them. The decision often coming down to enlisting or becoming an officer. While both options have different appeals, some find themselves trying both paths. Starting off as enlisted and later going on to become an officer.

Cadet Aiden Hogan, a University of North Texas student, assigned to 8^th Regiment, Advanced Camp, began his military career enlisted. He started out by contracting with the Texas Army National Guard as a 15-uniform performing maintenance on Chinook helicopters and serving as crew chief. Hogan served in that position for 3 to 4 years before deciding to contract as a cadet in an airborne infantry battalion. Before the military, he knew he wanted to attend college. So, when he finally got the chance, he decided to take the opportunity provided with that to improve his military career.

“I feel like I’ve come to these schools and done a lot of things with my career because I wanted to improve myself as a person,” Hogan said.

Understanding how he could better not only himself, but his career Hogan took the chance to become an officer. He was intrigued to discover how the officer side would be in comparison to his enlisted experience. Having the chance to attend Cadet Summer Training, Hogan nears the end of Advanced Camp as he goes into the Field Training Exercise.

“For the field experience at CST, I’m really excited to just find myself out more as a leader and to perform under pressure,” said Hogan, “So, finding those pressure points or comfort levels [on] how I feel about leading is something the field brings out of everybody I believe. And I think that’s crucial to any future leader in the United States Army.”

Currently serving as a squad leader, Hogan finds himself wanting to uncover what being a leader means. As the security squad, his team’s goal for the recent mission was to isolate the objective and make sure no other enemy forces were coming towards it. To ensure a successfully planned mission, each member needs to work together both as a squad and platoon.

“I feel like the mission can’t succeed without successful squad leaders,” said Hogan, “The [Platoon Leader] is only one man and squad leaders in the senior enlisted [position] within a normal infantry platoon are very crucial to the mission.”

This training provides him with the chance to not only find himself but experience a simulated idea of what the officer part of the military is like. For him, his time as prior enlisted was a great welcome into the Army. While CST and the cadet experience have helped to open his eyes to a new side of the military. Heading down this path, Hogan hopes to become a Public Affairs Officer.

“I like to tell stories,” said Hogan, “I think every soldier has a unique story of why they’re here, why they’re training, and why they do what they do. Being in public affairs has the opportunity to have the soldiers or officers be heard.”

In high school, Hogan discovered this interest when he had the chance to do journalism and write for his school’s paper. Although, his interest also stems from wanting to tell soldiers’ stories. He hopes to return to his battalion and go back to the Texas National Guard to tell the Army story.

“The Army has all these unique soldiers that have come from all these different places and different parts of the nation,” said Hogan, “And for them to be able to come here, express themselves, and get out of their shell, I think that’s a very interesting avenue to explore [on] why every soldier’s here.”