Student returns to school after deployment
PHOTO BY LYNN LAZARO / Jaemin Lee sits at the MultiCultural Center for a photo.
In 2019, Jaemin Lee, a student at the University of Nevada, Reno and member of the Nevada Army National Guard was told that he would be deploying the following year.
“I made it really clear that I didn’t want to go, but it’s not my choice,” Lee said. He was nervous, and worried that he was going to get hurt.
Contrary to Lee’s fears, the deployment was not as eventful as he expected.
“It was really boring honestly,” he said. Aside from working with satellites, and going on two missions in Iraq, “we just kind of sat around”.
Rather than spending his time doing nothing, Lee began to read books related to his computer science and engineering major.
“I think going to school made me hate computer science just because they teach you all this stuff you don’t want to learn,” Lee said.
During his deployment he had the freedom to learn without facing the demands of a traditional classroom.
Becoming a better student
When Lee is asked how being in the Guard has affected his student life, he says, “I mean, it’s harder, but I think I’m better at it [now].”
For each instance that Lee has left the university to fulfill his military duties, he has come back better.
“You just have a lot of time to realize that [being a student] is a lot better than doing nothing overseas,” Lee says. He no longer views studying as a chore.
“This is my first time having good grades in college,” he says, referring to his GPA before he deployed. Lee had failed two classes, and was at a 2.6 GPA, but last semester, one B+ kept him away from having straight A’s.
“It’s weird sitting in class and knowing what the professors are talking about,” Lee says in regards to his newfound understanding of computer science.
“Coming back [from deployment], and being prepared for everything made me a better student overall.”
Life overseas
Another lesson that Lee learned while overseas was the reality of being away from his friends and family for over half a year.
“I think that’s the hardest part of deployment,” Lee says. During his deployment, he realized that his life was put on hold while his family and friends continued on without him.
“I think when you’re younger, you’re just like, ‘Oh, these are my friends for life. We always make time for each other.’ But as you grow up, you realize: when they’re there, they’re there. When they’re not, you’re living your own life.”
Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Lee was able to connect with the people he deployed with.
“My friends were not in the military,” Lee explains, remembering how he would dread going to drill.
As a member of the National Guard, Lee is obligated to report to duty or “drill” one weekend a month. Depending on the type of drill, it can range from two to 14 days, and cut into school days.
“It was just kind of a hassle,” Lee remembers. For him, his main hope for drill was that he would be able to get along with everyone for the next two days.
“But now … I’ll hang out with my friends at drill on my own time,” Lee says. His military and personal life are no longer separate.
Photo from Jaemin Lee’s social media.
Reflecting on his service
When Lee signed his six-year-enlistment contract three years ago, it wasn’t because of an unyielding urge to be patriotic. He did it for the benefits.
“I was going to school, but I wasn’t doing too well,” Lee said, remembering his circumstances before he joined. “I had financial struggles and they said they’ll pay for everything. So I just kind of joined.”
Nevada National Guard members receive free tuition at any Nevada college after enlistment. Other benefits include free healthcare, and during training, free housing and food. These benefits make joining the Guard an appealing option for struggling students.
Despite this, Lee regretted his initial decision to join. If you asked Lee, a year ago, he would have told himself not to join the army.
However, after finishing his deployment, his sentiment has changed.
“[Six years] just doesn’t feel that long anymore,” Lee said. “I guess, it’s because I’m halfway through.”
Now, if you asked Lee what he would tell his younger self, he would say, “things aren’t as bad as you keep thinking it is.”
