UNR senior balances school, mental health, and his responsibilities as an active duty Army National Guardsman

Sergeant Frederick Serrano turns on his television for his dog, Naya, before he leaves for his shift at the Nevada State Health Lab. Note that the rank on his chest is for a specialist and not a sergeant. At the time of the interview he had not received his new rank patch. Photo by Lynn Lazaro.

Voluntold is a popular saying amongst military members and is described as soldiers being told a task is voluntary, but “strongly recommended.” In essence, it’s a round-a-bout way of telling soldiers to do something.

When the Nevada National Guard was activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, some members were told it was voluntary to join the COVID-19 response task force, and others were simply put on the task force without further explanation.

“It was kind of like a voluntold to get on orders,” Sergeant Frederick Serrano, a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno said in regards to his initial experience on the task force. “And even though I didn’t like it at first, it was probably the best decision that was made for me.”

With the beginning of the spring semester, Sergeant Frederick Serrano has switched to working part-time at the NSHL. He’s grateful for the flexible scheduling they’re offering him while he attends school. Photo by Lynn Lazaro

Continued COVID-19 Task Force extensions

Since joining the task force, orders have been extended more than five times, and he believes it will continue to happen.

“I don’t know for sure, but I feel like it’s just gonna keep going on more and more,” Serrano said. He believed that the COVID-19 pandemic may be an issue for another year because of how relaxed people are with masks and vaccinations.

Despite ongoing frustrations with COVID-19, Serrano has taken many positives out of his situation. After the first 90 days of being on active duty orders, Serrano gained access to the  Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan.

The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill gives him a stipend of over $1000 a month, and the VA Home Loan makes it easier for him to purchase a house without a down payment.

He enjoys greater financial stability as an active duty soldier, and it’s one of the reasons why he decided to stay on orders while being a full-time student this semester.

“It’s the best money I’ve made throughout my life,” Serrano said.

As a person with only a high school degree he is out-earning most people with his skillset. Before he was on orders he was working as a server at the Peppermill, but now he makes enough money to live comfortably.

Serrano also accredits better mental health to his time on active duty orders. As an active duty soldier he was provided with workshops that helped him utilize Military OneSource.

Military OneSource is an overarching resource for soldiers that covers finances, civilian careers, and mental health. Through them, Serrano was able to find free access to a mental health provider.

“Getting used to life changes [due to COVID-19], … going through therapy, and then just learning more about myself, I’m in a better mental space.”