New Hampshire Next 2023-2024

2023-24 COMPLIMENTARY

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Your guide to life after high school

SPONSORED BY

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Change You‰ life My name is César and I recently graduated from the American Academy of Health and Beauty in New Hampshire as a Massage Therapist.

Eleven years ago in Puerto Rico, I did volunteer work twice a week. But I needed to work so much at my regular job that I had to stop this fulfilling activity. After nine years, a major life change and a burnout at work, I wanted to bring something meaningful back into my life. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed... and to be of service to others.

I chose a career where I could earn enough money to live comfortably, manage my own time and have the potential to grow my earnings while helping others. After investigating different schools and observing their graduation and success rates for the National Examination, I decided to take a leap of faith. At the American Academy of Health and Beauty, the teachers and staff members were helpful from the start — including assistance to get a scholarship for my new studies.

Right now, I work in a 4-star hotel spa, am very happy with what I’m doing, and feel that I have endless employment possibilities. As a Massage Therapist, you can choose from many different work scenarios: spas, doctor’s offices, your own private practice, cruise ships, and more.

And there are so many different massage modalities to learn and focus on! They make the career exciting, interesting and full of hope.

I definitely recommend this path, this possibility, to anyone who is looking for a career change. As a Massage Therapist, you are positioning yourself to serve others, to increase your income and (maybe for the first time) to have a career where it’s required to exercise self-care.

Investigate and enjoy.

— César Rivera, LMT

The American Academy of Health and Beauty’s 750-hour Massage Therapy program offers training in Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial techniques and muscle energy — as well as help with career development.

All of our classes are taught by licensed Massage Therapists. And, we offer day and evening classes to enable 100% of our graduates to pass the MBLEx national test. Begin your new career in in only 6½ months (day program) or 9 months (evening program).

981 Second St. Manchester, NH 603-625-6100 info@myaahb.com WWW.AAHB.EDU NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 1

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Ernesto Burden x5117 ernestob@yankeepub.com EDITOR Mike Cote x5141 mikecote@yankeepub.com

Choose Community College

MANAGING EDITOR

Affordable, high quality and close to home

Emily Heidt x5115 eheidt@nhmagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR, CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS

Robert Cook x5128 robertc@yankeepub.com

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Jodie Hall x5122 jodieh@yankeepub.com

Consider a Career in Healthcare

Nancy Tichanuk x5126 nancyt@yankeepub.com

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

Serve your community in a growing field

ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING & EVENTS SALES DIRECTOR

Jenna Pelech x5154 jennap@yankeepub.com SALES EXECUTIVE

15 Planning for College

Start your search early and ask key questions

18 Paying for College Investigate the many options

Connie Audet connieaudet2@gmail.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Ren Chase x5114 renc@yankeepub.com BUSINESS & SALES COORDINATOR

Paula Veale x5110 paulav@yankeepub.com DIGITAL OPERATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER

Morgen Connor x5149 morgenc@yankeepub.com SALES & EVENTS COORDINATOR

Paul Milone x5121 paulm@yankeepub.com

20 The New Hampshire Army National Guard Explore the opportunities this career choice offers

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HAMPSHIRE

GROUP

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© 2023 Yankee Publishing, Inc.

NH Next is published by Yankee Publishing, Inc., 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4014, Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is not allowed. Articles and advertisements in NH Next do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by NH Next does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Please forward any inquiries or correspondence to 250 Commercial St., Suite 4014, Manchester, NH 03101. For editorial information, please call (603) 624-1442, x5128. To find out how to advertise in the 2023-2024 edition of NH Next, or on the NH Next website, nhnext.com, call (603) 624-1442, x5154.

Adopt a Growth Mindset and Never Stop Learning … or Believing You Can

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’m currently in the process of learning French. It’s my fourth stab at it, I think. The first was in high school, with Sister Mary Catherine. All I remember from that go-round was how to say, “Ferme la bouche, Ernesto.”

I’m chagrined to say I might have heard that more than a few times. Later, my career took me around the world. I filled up a passport as the publisher of a group of technology magazines and got to visit France on half a dozen working trips.

Each time I knew I was going to be there I dug out my Pimsleur CDs (I know, anachronistic nowadays), buckled down, and managed to cram enough into my brain to be able to order in restaurants and arrange transportation. But it never really stuck because I could never really hear it.

While English is my native language, getting the sound of Spanish in my ears had come relatively easily to me. But French just always sounded like a bunch of undifferentiated vowels, most of which I also couldn’t pronounce. It was even a struggle to get the right sound for the simple word for water, eau, to stick in my head.

So I tried to learn it four or five times between high school and age 53. Some might say, give up already.

But I love languages. And I’d really like to know French.

So I started again earlier this year, with a summer vacation in Quebec as prod. And this time I made it past some sort of critical tipping point.

First, the learning got really hard. That part where you’re past the easy beginner stuff and everything seems to make your head spin is deeply uncomfortable. You just can’t hear what you’re supposed to hear, and you want to pull your hair in frustration. But instead of walking away this time, I embraced the discomfort and kept going. And months later, I can finally hear it. It’s there in my head. It’s in my ears. In my mouth. I’m getting it.

What made me try again?

I chalk it up to a “growth mindset.”

Carol Dweck, writing for Harvard Business Review, defines a growth mindset like this: “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a

growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts).”

My mother, a teacher and linguist, is most responsible for my growth mindset. She never let “I’m just not good at this” be a reason for me to quit. We both acknowledged there are some things I’ll never love doing or want to do for fun (calculus). But with her steady insistence, I came out of childhood with the surety that if I wanted or needed to do something badly enough, I could learn it. And then improve at it.

In the case of French, without a growth mindset, I would have quit after the second try. Maybe the first. And I would have missed out on how much fun learning the language has become since passing that hurdle. Am I fluent? A million miles from that. But I’m progressing.

Almost everything that’s truly important to me, that’s deeply satisfying, has come not from a surfeit of natural talent but from an obstinate conviction that, with enough effort, I can learn anything.

I share this with you, as you contemplate what to do next as your high school career nears its end, neither to brag about being able to speak French (I still speak it like a toddler) or boast of some inspiring or inherent talent I have for learning. Rather the opposite.

I’ve found learning many things, important things, things I really wanted and needed to know, incredibly difficult. And you probably will, too. But here’s the secret. When it feels the hardest, the worst, the most difficult, that’s when the magic is happening. Take heart at that moment, because you’re really growing.

And there is nothing you can’t achieve.

— ERNESTO BURDEN VICE PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER YANKEE PUBLISHING NEW HAMPSHIRE GROUP

NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 3

Embrace the Call

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n a world brimming with opportunities, joining the New Hampshire Army National Guard stands out as a decision that promises a life of purpose, growth and impact. Beyond the traditional image of military service, the Guard offers a unique blend of advantages that cater to diverse aspirations. Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider becoming a part of the New Hampshire Army National Guard family.

1. Education Unleashed: Picture a future where your educational aspirations are met with support and resources. By joining the New Hampshire Army National Guard, you open the door to educational benefits that can pave the way to success. The Guard offers financial assistance for college tuition through programs like the Montgomery GI Bill and 100% Tuition Assistance to state colleges. Imagine graduating with a degree, certification or specialized training — all with the backing of a community that values your growth.

2. Career Catalyst: The New Hampshire Army National Guard doesn’t just equip you for military service — it equips you for life. The skills you acquire, from leadership to problem-solving, are universally applicable. Beyond personal growth, these attributes can catalyze your career journey. Whether you’re eyeing a civilian job or seeking specialized training, the Guard provides pathways to professional development that set you apart.

3. Financial Security: Amidst economic uncertainties, the New Hampshire Army National Guard offers a stable income that complements your civilian pursuits. Paired with a world-class health insurance package, this part-time commitment ensures you can maintain your job while reaping the rewards of service. With financial stability as your ally, you can focus on your goals without compromising on your responsibilities.

4. Community and Camaraderie: Joining the Guard means joining a tight-knit community that transcends military drills. The friendships you forge become a pillar of support in both your personal and professional life. Shared experiences breed bonds that last a lifetime, fostering resilience and belonging.

You’ll find not only teammates but also mentors and friends who understand the journey you’re on.

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5. Answer the Call: Every Guardsman embodies a spirit of duty, and this duty extends beyond military service. When crises strike, the New Hampshire Army National Guard is at the forefront of disaster relief and community support. By joining, you’re not just responding to the call of your nation — you’re answering the call of your community. Your service becomes a beacon of hope for those in need.

In conclusion, the New Hampshire Army National Guard isn’t just about donning a uniform; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that empowers you to reach your fullest potential. From education and career growth to building lifelong friendships while serving your community and meaningful service, the Guard presents a holistic package that enriches every facet of your life.

As you contemplate your next steps, remember that the New Hampshire Army National Guard isn’t just an organization; it’s an opportunity to make your mark, find your purpose and become a part of something larger than yourself. Embrace the call and embark on a journey that promises a future of fulfillment, growth and lasting camaraderie.

— FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: SSG JONATHAN P. MEXCUR NEW HAMPSHIRE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD JONATHAN.P.MEXCUR.MIL@ARMY.MIL WWW.NATIONALGUARD.COM/NH

Quality Health Career Training in New Hampshire

LNA

Health Careers was founded in 2002 to educate licensed nursing assistants (LNA).

Our mission today is to provide all students with a quality education that leads to a rewarding career in health care. Our graduates are confident, competent and compassionate health care providers, serving their communities proudly.

Our programs were designed with quality in mind.

Employers trust that graduates from LNA Health Careers are well trained and prepared to enter the workforce as health care professionals. We offer a variety of programs: Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA), Medication Nursing Assistant (MNA), Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician and Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN). Our qualified faculty provides a wealth of knowledge academically and clinically in a variety of settings. Our helpful staff support every step of your way from pre-admission to graduation.

LNA Health Careers believes that learning is enhanced by an environment where there is mutual respect between teacher and student. LNA Health Careers strives to provide an environment which encourages a learner’s development as a person as well as a professional.

An education at LNA Health Careers prepares you for a career in the fast-paced health care environment. Learning is accomplished through theoretical study, hands-on lab practice and clinical application.

Our programs incorporate classroom learning with simulated clinical activities in our lab, preparing you for a successful entry into the health care workforce.

With today’s high demand for health care workers in New Hampshire, there is no better time to start your career. Let us help you meet your educational goals and find your place in the dynamic health care field!

— KERRI DUTTON, RN, MSN PRESIDENT, LNA HEALTH CAREERS WWW.LNAHEALTHCAREERS.COM

NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 5

Workforce Readiness Institute Workforce Readiness Institute Become a part of our team!

Become a part of our team!

LAUNCH DH WRI TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR:FOR: LAUNCH YOUR YOURCAREER CAREER•• EARN EARN YOUR YOURDEGREE DEGREE DH HAS WRI HAS TRAINING PROGRAMS LAUNCH YOUR CAREER • EARN YOURschool DEGREE DH WRI HAS TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR: Dartmouth Health’s registered career • Medical Assistants Dartmouth Health’s registered career school offers paid training • Medical Assistants Dartmouth Health’s registered school • Medical Assistants programs totraining start your career. While you train, you are a full-time • Pharmacy offers paid programs tocareer start your Technicians • Pharmacy Technicians offers paid programs toastart your • Pharmacy Technicians employee oftraining Dartmouth Health and can also earn college credit career.

While you train, you are full-time • Licensed Nurse Assistants • Licensed Nurse Assistants career.

While you train, you are aand full-time toward an Associate of Health Science from College! • Licensed Nurse Assistants employee of Dartmouth Health canColby-Sawyer also • Surgical Technologists • Surgical Technologists employee of credit Dartmouth Health and can of also Technologists earn toward an Associate Learncollege more about Colby-Sawyer College’s Associate of Science • Surgical • Phlebotomists • Phlebotomists earn college credit toward an Associate of in Health Sciencefrom Degree for Dartmouth Health employees.

Health Science Colby-Sawyer College!

• Phlebotomists • Ophthalmic Assistants Health Science from Colby-Sawyer College!

• High School and College Internships • High School and College Internships https://colby-sawyer.edu/ahs • High School and College Internships

For more information and to apply, visit www.DHWRI.org.

For more information and to apply, visit www.DHWRI.org.

Earn while you learn!

Looking for a paid-for learning opportunity after high school?

Then look no further!

Licensed Nursing Assistant Training Program – This is a 6-week PAID training program. Tuition is covered by Exeter Hospital. Once the program is completed and you obtain your LNA license, you will become a fully benefited employee at Exeter Hospital!

Medical Assistant Training Program – This a 12-week PAID training program that gives students both in-class training and hands-on experience at our Core offices. Grant funding is available to qualified candidates for tuition, fees, expenses and supplies. As a trainee, you qualify for benefits immediately!

Phlebotomist – At Core Physicians, you can launch your Phlebotomy career immediately after graduation with our comprehensive on-the-job training program.

Central Sterile Tech 1 – On the job training and the opportunity to become certified!

For more information about our training programs, contact:

Recruitment@ehr.org Check out our new career website for current opportunities:

ExeterCareers.com 6 | WWW.NHNEXT.COM

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The First Next of Many.

First Next Many.colleges.

Find yourThe future at First New Hampshire community The Next of of Many Find your future at New Hampshire community colleges.

Find your future at New Hampshire community colleges

hen you “Choose Community” you’re taking the next step in the rest of your henWhere you “Choose Community” you’re thebut next step in the rest of your life. that path leads is entirely uptaking to you, one thing is for certain: life.

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Trust us when weour tell Flexible class schedules and a unique mix of on-campus and online learning opportunity to tour our campuses, speak with advisors, learn about with seven colleges and 11 locations across the state, you’re never far you that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. withopportunities seven colleges and 11 locations across the state, you’re never far you that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. are designed to fit your life, not the other way around. And programs and explore financial aid opportunities. Trust us when we tell from thethe classroom. from classroom. with seven colleges and 11 locations across the state, you’re never far you that you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

We do to true community for forour ourstudents, students,faculty faculty We really really do aim aim to create create aa true from the classroom.

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The Theteam teamatatNew NewHampshire HampshireCommunity CommunityColleges Colleges ChooseCommunity.com ChooseCommunity.com

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NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 7

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CHOOSING A COLLEGE? START MAKING A LIST!

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Choose Community and you just might check all the boxes.

or many high school graduates, it can be difficult to identify “the perfect school.” There are so many factors to consider, along with loads of information to gather and evaluate.

That’s why creating a list of “must-haves” is often a great place to start. To help in that exercise (we’re always here to help!), we’ve put together a few lists of our own to make the decision process just a little bit easier.

COLLEGE SCORECARD ACADEMICS Programs designed to prepare you for today’s job market? Small classes with real learning?

Exceptional faculty who make your success the priority? Check, check and check.

LOCATION A high-quality education close to home? With seven community colleges and 11 locations across the Granite State, New Hampshire Community Colleges certainly check this box.

VALUE The lowest college tuition in New Hampshire + scholarship assistance + financial aid = unbeatable value.

INTERESTING COURSES/PROGRAMS Over 200 degree and certificate programs in high-demand fields.

Now that certainly sounds interesting.

STUDENT LIFE Dozens of student clubs and organizations, health & wellness programs, Student Government, athletic opportunities and countless student services create a rich experience well beyond the classroom.

A WARM WELCOME FOR ALL All of our colleges are 100% committed to creating a welcoming environment and providing opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and communities.

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LIST OF PROGRAMS ARTS, HUMANITIES, COMMUNICATION AND DESIGN BUSINESS HEALTH SCIENCES AND SERVICES HOSPITALITY AND CULINARY INDUSTRY AND TRANSPORTATION SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES STEM AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

For our full list of over 200 degree and certificate programs, visit ccsnh.edu/academic-programs-at-a-glance LIST OF STUDENT FAVORITES

Leadership Retreat

Service Trips

Workforce Training

Robotics Team

Student Senate

Drama Club

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LIST OF POTENTIAL CAREERS Business Administration

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...and so many more!

When you’re ready to start making your own list, be sure to put New Hampshire community colleges at the top.

Learn more at ChooseCommunity.com

CHOOSE COMMUNITY.COM NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 9

The Electrical Trade: career opportunities beyond the wires

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oday, high school graduates have more career path choices than ever before. Technology and innovation have expanded traditional roles in many fields — the electrical trade being one of them. Students are starting to see how an interest or passion, seemingly unrelated to the industry, can lead them to a career in the electrical trade.

The reasons why a graduate might choose a particular career path or field are changing.

Previously, we saw students entering the electrical trade because they wanted to secure a financially rewarding career without incurring student loans, or because they wanted to follow in the footsteps of a family member, or simply because they were interested in electrical work. While these incentives may still influence an individual’s choice, today’s students pursue a career in the electrical field for other reasons as well.

One such individual, Brian Harlow, our Virtual Design Construction (VDC) Specialist, found that his interest in computers and gaming opened a path to the electrical trade. The VDC title is new to our industry, as we continue to incorporate the latest technologies into the business. When Brian graduated from high school, he was unsure of his career path.

Despite his interest in computers and gaming, he wasn’t sure he could make a living pursuing this track. He decided to explore certificate courses at a local NH community college, and soon realized his aptitude for computers and gaming could transfer to Building Information Modeling (BIM). He reached out to Interstate for a Computer Aided Design

(CAD) Operator position and his journey began! Ten years later, Brian is proud to have used on-the-job training and self-learning to advance into his current role.

We are seeing more and more stories like Brian’s in the electrical trade.

For example, a student who is interested in interior design might use that passion and experience to shift into an electrical detailing, coordinator or engineering support career. We’re even seeing students choosing to become electricians, because they are motivated by a passion for green initiatives and want a fulfilling career that will promote electric charging stations, hydro and wind power, along with lighting controls and sensors to reduce electric use.

As a woman in the industry, I am proud to see more women entering the electrical trade. Today, there is more diversity in the workforce and in the industry than ever before.

This uptrend in diversity makes me incredibly happy. It’s rewarding to see students gravitating towards a career that aligns with their interests and passions — not their gender. Add to this the increased utilization of technology in the industry, and we see an ever-broadening path for individuals to pursue a career in the electrical trade. They realize the opportunities in the electrical field go beyond wires.

— LUIZA MILLS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INTERSTATE ELECTRICAL SERVICES WWW.IESC1.COM

NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 11

Consider a Career in Health Care: make a difference in your community

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any New Hampshire hospitals have reported critical staffing shortages, a number that has risen since the onset of the pandemic. During this historic time, public health professionals across the state worked to prevent the spread of disease. Today, they continue to work to keep the population of New Hampshire as healthy as possible.

Close your eyes and think about how your future can make a difference in your community. Health care careers have a vast number of options, ranging from LNA, MNA, Phlebotomy, Pharmacy Technician and Practical Nursing.

A Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) helps patients with activities of daily living and other health care needs. LNAs can work in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities. They may also provide health services to patients who need assistance with daily tasks at home.

You have the ability to grow personally and professionally within this field. Here are a few of the benefits of becoming a Licensed Nursing Assistant: 1. Job Stability Something you will never have to worry about as an LNA is employment. The projected growth of this position is strong, which means there is an increasing need for LNA’s to join the field.

2. Flexibility When you’re looking for a job, flexibility can be an important factor, depending upon your personal situation. Additionally, having a work-life balance is important to everyone’s mental health — finding a career with flexibility makes that all the more possible.

3. Emotional Rewards As an LNA, you will have a chance to impact the lives of others based on the care you provide. When you see the importance of your role in someone else’s life, it can be a very rewarding experience.

4. Affordability Becoming licensed as a Nursing Assistant is not expensive in comparison to other career choices. Furthermore, many companies are dedicated to educational advancement for their employees through tuition-assistance programs. By taking advantage of these benefits, you can build your skill set and résumé throughout your career.

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5. Opportunities to Specialize While getting experience as an LNA, you’ll have the chance to explore different specializations and certifications as well as the job choices they entail. You may be surprised by the opportunities available!

6. Job Market Growth The job market for health care continues to expand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 209,400 openings for nursing assistants and orderlies are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. That’s a significant number of potential employment choices.

7. Opportunity to Travel As an LNA, you will have the opportunity to travel throughout your career. Your employment options range from single-location positions to contract positions based on need. You’ll have the opportunity to work in your area of expertise with the flexibility to travel and experience new things both personally and professionally.

8. Continued Education As an LNA, you’ll work side by side with Registered Nurses and people from other medical fields every day. This contact could inspire you to explore opportunities for further education.

A REWARDING CAREER PATH

These are just some of the reasons becoming an LNA can change your life. You will have the opportunity to make an impact — not just in your own life but in the lives of others, too. The ability to see how your efforts affect other people can be indescribably rewarding.

Thinking about an LNA career in New Hampshire? To work as an LNA, it is necessary to attend a training program and successfully pass an exam administered by a government regulatory agency. LNA Health Careers offers programs to do just that.

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL @LNAHEALTHCAREERS OR VIA EMAIL AT INFO@LNAHC.COM.

NH NEXT: Your Guide to Life After High School offers information for high school students on applying to college, financial aid, employment opportunities, career choices and more.

Need more copies?

Visit www.nhnext.com for the digital edition.

NE W HA MP

SH IR E

2023-24 COMPLIMENTA

RY

Your guide to life after high sch ool

SPONSORED

BY

NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 13

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Planning for

ollege C T

he college planning process is like a scavenger hunt. There are treasures out there — or so you’ve been told — and you need to find them.

You collect exam scores, notable accomplishments, teacher recommendations and the like, checking them off your list as you go along.

BUT, WAIT! THAT’S NOT QUITE RIGHT… LET’S START AGAIN.

The college application process is like a roller coaster.

There are ups and downs and terrifying momentum. There are people all around you going through the same thing, and yet your experience is all your own. There are times when you think, “I can’t wait to get off this thing.” And other times when you marvel that you are actually doing it.

NO, THAT’S NOT IT, EITHER.

The college application process is like a corn maze — with all sorts of twisty, confusing paths. Some lead to where you want to go; others end abruptly. While you are busy navigating the maze, the sun is setting on your senior year. This adds a sense of urgency to find the right path and avoid wandering aimlessly in the dark.

BUT SENIOR YEAR IS FUN, RIGHT?

It’s true, you are at the apex of your high school career and others look up to you. But, there’s just so much to do. My advice to you — whether you feel like you are on a scavenger hunt, riding a roller coaster or navigating a corn maze — is to pace yourself. If graduation is the finish line and college is the trophy, you need to plan your race so you don’t burn out in the first mile. And there, I’ve done it: I’ve added yet another metaphor to this essay. Senior year makes you think (and write) that way.

The key is to start early. Go look at colleges any chance you can, beginning in the fall of your junior year, if possible. If you do start early, think: blue sky. Don’t limit your choices right off the bat. Do you want a big school or a small one? Rural or urban? Don’t just ask yourself; go look at one of each.

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Do you prefer near or far? Perhaps you can’t drive across country to look at colleges, but you can figure out how far away from home you want to be. Will the comfort of being able to come home frequently make a difference in how that first year goes? Or are you ready to leave home and never look back? Travel is expensive, so you’ll need to factor that into your college costs.

They say that you get a “feeling” when you visit the right college. I scoffed at this until it happened to me. There were some colleges that looked good on paper (or online), but felt wrong when I arrived on campus. Some felt unfriendly, others too competitive. I knew when I saw stressed expressions on students’ faces that I was at a school that wouldn’t work for me. On the other hand, when all I saw were party posters on the bulletin boards, I knew I was on a campus that wasn’t right for me, as well.

Once you’ve seen a few schools, you’ll begin to know what to look for.

When you visit them, be sure to take the college tour and listen to the admissions office’s presentation. Most importantly, have a meal in the cafeteria! That’s the only way to tell how good the food is. Visit a dorm room and ask about everything that is important to you. Are the dorms co-ed? Will you be crammed into a triple that should really be a double?

Do most students graduate in four years? Does financial aid carry over from year to year?

When you’ve narrowed your choices, see how likely it is that you’ll be accepted. No sense applying to a school you can’t get in to, unless you know it will be a “reach” and can accept the possibility of rejection.

The most useful rule of thumb that I learned was to apply to each

Try a free college search engine.

Big Future (bigfuture.org) lets you search for colleges by program or degree, location, size and more. of the three types of schools: some that you know you can get into (Safety), some that you can probably get into (Target), and one or two that you hope to get into (Reach).

Choose your schools based on the programs they offer. After all, even the best school won’t be good for you if you can’t succeed there, or if they don’t teach what you want to learn.

But what if you don’t know what you want to learn? Pick a school with lots of options. That way, if you enter college undecided about your future plans, you won’t have to transfer once you figure it out.

Remember, there will be opportunities to try things at a larger school that a smaller school might not offer.

Lastly, to find your way through the college corn maze, make yourself a map. It’s easy to be confused by the multitude of deadlines and requirements for each college. Make a list — or better, a chart — of who needs what when. The application process then becomes a checklist instead of a crazy mishmash of too much to do.

Finally: breathe! You’ll find your way through the maze, I promise.

When you do, you’ll look back and say, “Whew! I did it!”

ONE UNIVERSITY, BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITY. Study in-person, hybrid or online – our programs are made to fit your life.

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Paying for

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College

n the surface, figuring out how to pay for a college education may seem like an overwhelming task. Especially as the cost of fouryear and two-year degrees continues to rise.

The good news is there are many state and federal assistance programs available. The key is understanding what’s available and how to access grants, loans, scholarships and financial aid. Students and parents who do their homework will find a wide variety of education funding products that can help accomplish this goal.

THE “PROMISE” OF NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Granite State is blessed with strong community colleges that provide an affordable way to set out on the road to higher education.

Associate’s degree credits are transferrable to state and private colleges and universities for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree. To make attending community college easier, the Community College System of New Hampshire is rolling out a Promise Program for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The needs-based Promise Program will help qualified New Hampshire students bridge the gap between grants, scholarships, and the cost of tuition and required comprehensive fees, at all seven of New Hampshire’s community colleges.

Students need to complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, be eligible for a Pell Grant, and enroll in at least six credits per semester. The Community College System of New Hampshire will apply any scholarships and grants first. The Promise Program will cover the remaining costs.

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FEDERAL EDUCATION GRANTS

The federal government continues to provide higher education grants to eligible students who attend public or private colleges and universities. Unlike a student loan, grants do not have to be repaid unless a student withdraws from school and owes a refund or fails to complete their service obligation in the case of a federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education grant.

Students can apply for the following federal grants: • Pell Grants • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants SCHOLARSHIPS: GOOD GRADES ALWAYS A PLUS

Students who have earned top grades should seek out scholarships offered by the schools they wish to attend. They can also seek out scholarships from a myriad of nonprofit and private organizations.

The best place for students to begin their scholarship search is their school’s financial aid office or their high school guidance counselor. The amount of scholarship money a student is awarded will affect the amount of financial aid they can potentially receive from other sources.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS:

THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING SAFETY NET

For students who may not qualify for scholarships or financial aid, federal student loans offer them a direct pipeline to the funding they need for tuition, books, room and board.

According to studentaid.gov, the U.S. Department of Education offers four loan options: • Direct Subsidized Loans provide financial assistance to qualified undergraduate students who require help in funding their higher education in either colleges or vocational schools.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans offer financial support to qualifying undergraduate, postgraduate and professional students, without requiring the borrower to demonstrate financial hardship.

• Direct PLUS Loans serve postgraduate students or the parents or guardians of undergraduate students. This can help with expenses not met by other financial aid.

Financial need isn’t a consideration, but a credit assessment is mandatory. Those with negative credit records need to fulfill extra conditions.

• Direct Consolidation Loans provide the advantage of merging all federal student loan debts into one consolidated loan under one loan provider.

Learn more about federal student aid, including loans and grants, at studentaid.gov.

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• Know how much you’ve borrowed. Consider how you will repay the loans and how that repayment will affect your finances after school. Student loan payments should be a

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Undergraduate students can borrow anywhere from $5,500 to $12,500 per year from Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The amount depends on what year you are in at school and your dependency status.

Parents of dependent undergraduate students can receive a Direct PLUS Loan for the remainder of their children’s college costs, which is determined by his or her school and not covered by other financial aid.

As is the case with any loan, students and parents should make sure they follow this advice:

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small percentage of one’s salary. It’s important not to borrow more than you need.

• Research starting salaries in your field. Ask your school for starting salaries of recent graduates in your field of study to get an idea of how much you are likely to earn after you graduate. You can also use the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook or career search tool to research careers and salaries.

• Understand the terms of your loan and keep copies of your loan documents. When you sign your promissory note, you are agreeing to repay the loan according to the terms of the note even if you don’t complete your education, can’t get a job after you complete the program or didn’t like the education you received.

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• Make payments on time. You are required to make payments on time even if you don’t receive a bill, repayment notice or a reminder.

You must pay the full amount required by your repayment plan, as partial payments do not fulfill your obligation to repay your student loan on time.

Sources: studentaid.gov and Community College System of New Hampshire

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NH Army National Guard Offers Multifaceted

Education

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hristopher Lind was 27 when he decided he wanted to join the military, realizing he would be too old to enlist if he waited much longer. Lind was working at the Valley Street jail in Manchester as corrections officer when the itch to serve found him.

“I already had a college degree and a career. I just wanted to go into the military to find out whether I would like it or not,” says Lind, who now holds the rank of lieutenant.

When he joined the Guard in 2014, Lind was a fire support specialist. In 2018, he entered Officers Candidate School and embarked on an 18-month training program to earn a commission. During that time, Lind says he became aware that the Guard not only helped college students pay for school but also helped Guard members earn graduate degrees at state colleges and universities.

Members of his Guard unit directed him to the Education Services office, where Lind presently works full time. He decided to let the Guard pay for his studies at the University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies in Concord so he could earn a master’s degree in project management.

Lind also serves a rear detachment commander of the headquarters battery for the 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery based in Franklin as part of his Army National Guard duties. He says the forward detachment of his unit is actually deployed in the Middle East.

Lind, who has worked as the Guard’s education services officer since April, says many Guard members are taking advantage of the free college tuition waivers that he oversees. Older Guard members like himself want to gain new skills, college degrees or enter new trades.

In 2022, New Hampshire Army National Guard members received more than $650,000 in tuition waivers to attend schools such as the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, Granite State College, the state’s community colleges and the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord. Lind says about 90 Guard members used the education benefits during the fall semester.

But college tuition waivers are just the tip of the education benefits spear, according to Lind.

For example, if a Guard member is pursuing one major and decided to switch gears and studies business instead of liberal arts, Lind says the Guard will pay for that. Typically, making a

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change like that halfway through one’s four-year college education can cost thousands of dollars.

This benefit can be helpful for young Guard members who are not sure which field of study or career path they want to ultimately pursue, Lind says.

The Guard also allows soldiers to receive training for a variety of roles that will prove useful in civilian life, Lind says. For instance, if a Guard member has a particular specialty, such as what Lind had when he was a fire support specialist, and they want to learn how to drive trucks, Lind says they can do it and obtain the commercial driver’s licenses that go with it. Certain MOSs, or military occupational specialties, carry bonuses of up to $20,000 for Guard members who perform those tasks.

The Guard also provides its soldiers several options to pay for college regardless if they choose to live on campus or take online courses. Lind says Guard soldiers who want to live on campus have to pay for their housing and food but do not have to pay tuition. This essentially can save them up to 50% of their total education costs. If they take online courses and live at home with their parents, Lind says it would cost them nothing.

If a Guard member does an overseas deployment, they can tap into federal G.I. Bill benefits, Lind says.

A Guard member who has 36 months of active duty can get 100% of the G.I. Bill benefits, Lind says. Most deployments tend to be 11 months, which will net Guard members 60% of the federal benefits. A college tuition benefit can also be given to a dependent.

“I already have my college degree. I’m using the state tuition waiver to get a master’s degree,” Lind says. “For my G.I. Bill, I have a daughter, she’s 1 year old. So, I transferred my G.I. Bill benefit. I have 70% that I’ve qualified for through federal service.”

“When she goes to college, she can use that benefit because I’m not going to. I don’t need it,” Lind adds.

Guard members who serve six years and then enlist for another four years can transfer their state tuition benefit to their spouse if they want to attend college thanks to a recently passed New Hampshire law, Senate Bill 360, Lind says.

Members who have student loans they borrowed before they enlisted can receive up to $50,000 to repay those loans, Lind says. This benefit applies if the Guard member attended a New Hampshire college or university or out-of-state school.

Lind points out that 36 years of age is the cutoff to join the Guard unless someone can get a waiver for up to age 41. To enjoy the education benefits, Guard members have to be in good standing by attending all of their weekend drills and pass annual physical fitness tests. Guard members who do not maintain good enough grades to maintain their grade point average will lose

Benefits 100% TUITION WAIVER By law (RSA 110-B:63) the State of New Hampshire waives the tuition for any National Guard Soldier that is attending a NH state college or state technical college.

NH Army National Guard First Lieutenant Christopher Lind and his wife, Brittany.

Photo: NH Army National Guard

their tuition waivers and have to pay for college, Lind says.

A big part of his job as education services officer to get the word out to new Guard members about all of the state and federal education benefits that are offered, Lind says. Oftentimes, Lind and two other members of his department will visit units and talk with Guard soldiers. They make it a point to share this information if their unit is preparing to deploy overseas or has just returned from a mission.

Once young Guard members who may have joined to capitalize on the free college tuition and learn about all the benefits that are available to them and their families, Lind says they are glad they signed up.

For young people who will graduate from high school or are struggling to pay for college, the Guard provides the time and flexibility they need to chart their course in ways they cannot imagine, Lind says.

“The other thing, too, that’s great about the Guard is it’s also a place where you can build and keep building,” Lind says. “It’s definitely a good, good place to be, especially if you’re trying to figure it out.”

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University of New Hampshire

NH Community Colleges

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Granite State College

Keene State College

MONTGOMERY G.I. BILL ® Combine your benefits with your Post 9/11 GI Bill.

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT Certain enlistment and reenlistment contracts will include a $50,000 student loan repayment program.

There are additional qualifications to be eligible for this program.

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NH Army National Guard

Trains Officers to be Leaders New Hampshire Army National Guard Cadets Cyrus Hull, Amelia Magay, and Tovah Stonner orient a map during land navigation training on September 11 at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, NH. Photo: NH Army National Guard

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ew Hampshire Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Jason Collins has a pretty good idea about the type of officers they need to lead soldiers. As one of the primary instructors who trains new officers each year, Collins says cadets receive top-notch skills, discipline and task-specific goals to gain a commission.

Collins trains an average of 25 to 30 cadets each year who are either part of the Reserve Officer Training Corp detachments linked to the Battalion based at the University of New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University, Plymouth State University or Norwich University in Vermont.

Cadets are part of the Simultaneous Membership Program, which means they have the option of serving in the National Guard, the Reserves or active-duty Army after they complete the ROTC / Simultaneous Membership training program (SMP).

Collins has served in the New Hampshire Army National Guard since 2008 and worked as an officer training instructor for two years.

ROTC candidates receive some officer training in addition to their college life, and are awarded a commission as a second lieutenant, Collins says.

OCS candidates enlist in the Army National Guard and ship off to basic training before attending the state’s officer training schools in Strafford or

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Pembroke. All told, it is an 18-month training program.

“It sounds scary, but it’s 18 drill weekends,” Collins says. The drill weekends happen once during the month. Once the OCS candidates complete those drill weekends and all the training requirements, Collins says they are commissioned as officers in the New Hampshire Army National Guard.

Each officer training facility offers different training, Collins says.

“Pembroke has gigantic classrooms and pretty good technology for that type of training, and then Strafford has an in-house shooting range,” Collins says. He describes the shooting range as a simulator with a screen like an indoor golf driving range. Officer candidates fire pistols at targets and familiarize themselves with different weapons. ‘It’s pretty cool,” he says.

The officer candidates will also do some outdoor training in mountainous terrain where they take land navigation courses in Colchester, Vermont, Collins adds.

Collins sees men and women officer candidates. Not all of them will succeed, he says.

Left: New Hampshire Army National Guard Cadets Amelia Magay, Cyrus Hull, and Tovah Stonner on September 11 at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, NH. Below: NH Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jason Collins stands in front of a Military Police HMMWV. Below, left: New Hampshire Army National Guard Cadet Tovah Stonner on September 11 at the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, NH. Photos: NH Army National Guard

“They need to maintain a certain GPA (grade point average). So most of the time when folks are dropped from ROTC, it is because they drop below their GPA. OCS is a different story,” Collins says. “It could be whatever mission they were given or whatever task they were given, they just didn’t make the cut.”

Sometimes officer candidates drop out because they don’t do well with military structure, and they decided the military is not for them, Collins says. “I think most folks struggle with the structure of the program, like what’s expected while you’re here.”

For young people who are in their late teens or early 20s, reporting for structured drill weekends once per month, wearing a uniform and following orders is always a great choice, Collins says. Switching gears from being a college student to becoming a leader in the U.S. military is not an easy transition for some, he adds.

“You can train them how to read a map. You can train them how to write different operational orders. You can train them how to do physical fitness. But what you can’t train them to do is get used to that structure. And I think that’s the hardest part,” Collins says.

Collins points out that newly commissioned officers serve with the New Hampshire Army National Guard or any other Guard unit out of state for eight years. During that time, they know they can be deployed as part of an active-duty force overseas as evidenced by the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ultimately, the training that Collins and other Army National Guard instructors provide wouldbe officers will help them be successful leaders regardless of the mission.

The best Second Lieutenants that Collins has seen are those who listen to their platoon sergeants.

“Their Platoon Sergeant that they work with have probably been in the Army longer than them,” Collins says.

Instead of coming in as a dictator, Collins says new Second Lieutenants should make it a point to listen to the Senior Noncommissioned Officers and learn from them. They will earn their NCO’s respect, and it will strengthen their leadership skills and their overall effectiveness, he adds.

Serving as an officer in the New Hampshire Army National Guard and the U.S. military also carries great responsibility, Collins says.

“And you know, if your people are facing hardships, you’ve got to face them with them.

If you’re in battle, you have to lead them. You can’t just sit back and say, ‘OK, you guys go forward, and I’ll sit back here and stay on the radio,’” Collins says.

As the training instructor who plays his role to show officer candidates the way forward, Collins appreciates what he does. “I like training our future leaders.”

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NH Army National Guard Members Compete for Top

Marksmanship

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s a boy growing up in southern New Hampshire, Joe Wyner enjoyed shooting in the woods, a passion that stayed with him into adulthood. Now he competes in national marksmanship competitions as a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Wyner, state marksmanship coordinator for the New Hampshire Army National Guard, engages pistol targets during the 51st Winston P. Wilson Pistol and Rifle Championships on March 31 at Camp Robinson in Arkansas. Two 4-man squads of NHNG soldiers and airmen competed against shooters from around the world during the weeklong event.

Wyner finished as top NH shot, placing 28th out of 190 marksmen. Photo: Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO, courtesy NH Army National Guard

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Sergeant First Class Joe Wyner previously served in the regular Army for a few years before he decided to come home to the Granite State as a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard. During his first year in the Guard, he heard they participated in small arms marksmanship competitions, and he was immediately drawn to them.

“I’ve always liked shooting. I’ve been shooting in small competitions since I was a little kid, and I thought it was cool that the Army was doing something,” Wyner says.

He ended up doing very well, so much so that he was asked to join the team that competed at statewide and national competitions. This past March, Wyner, Col. Brooks Hayward, the commander of the Recruitment and Retention Battalion in Concord and the team’s coach, two other members of the Army National Guard and one Air National Guard member represented New Hampshire at the All-Army Marksmanship Competition in Fort Benning, Georgia.

It was the first time in 10 years that the New Hampshire Army National Guard had sent a team, and Wyner served as team captain. He serves as a senior instructor at the Regional Training Center in Pembroke.

The competitions give the soldiers a chance to showcase their skills with weapons that range from M17 pistols and M4 rifles and shotguns.

When Wyner took over the New Hampshire Army National Guard’s Marksmanship program in 2019, his goal was to make the soldiers proficient with pistols and rifles.

Both weapons require different skill sets, Wyner says.

“They both have their pros and cons. I think it’s harder to get proficient with a pistol. The rifle becomes harder when you start pushing the

Honors

From left, Lt. Col. Brooks Hayward, Tech. Sgt. Connor Cunio, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wyner, Capt. Patrick Randall and Sgt. 1st Class David Musso gather with their impressive haul of awards from the 2023 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship on March 18 at Fort Benning, Ga. NHNG’s “Alpha” squad placed third out of 54 teams. They were first in pistol and second in rifle. The team accounted for seven individual awards. Courtesy photo

distances that we’re shooting,” Wyner says. “At the Army competition, we shot out to 600 yards with our rifles, which is not typical of a normal Guardsman. They typically would only get out to roughly 300 yards.”

The marksmanship competitions represent a great opportunity for young people who are interested in shooting, Wyner says. In additional to their regular Guard duty, they can get paid to compete in these statewide, regional and national events and hone their shooting skills.

Guard soldiers who become proficient marksmen with their pistols and rifles can go back to their units and help their fellow soldiers improve their skills, Wyner says. “It’s also a lot of fun,” he adds.

As a potential recruitment tool, Wyner would like to see the Army National Guard support soldiers who want to participate in civilian shooting competitions. If they are wearing New Hampshire Army National Guard polo jerseys or other gear and they perform well, Wyner believes this could inspire people to consider the Guard.

Members of the NH Army National Guard Marksmanship team stop for a photo during the 2023 Winston P. Wilson Marksmanship Competition.

Photo: NH Army National Guard

With the right training, instruction and the ability to hone their skills, Wyner believes Guard soldiers who are afforded this opportunity can become valued marksmen.

“I found over the years of teaching is that these new individuals that show an interest, but maybe don’t have the experience, need to be openminded and listen to the instructors that we have within our group,” Wyner says. “So as long as they come into training with us with an open mind, we’re going to be able to make them more proficient.”

The New Hampshire Air National Guard Airman who competed with his team at the All-Army Marksmanship competition in Fort Benning is a great example, he says.

After training in Wyner’s program, the Airman placed third overall out of a field of 260 Guard soldiers and airmen in the novice division. “He’s kind of my poster child, as he didn’t have a lot of experience. He trained with us and he was open-minded and listened to the advice that we gave him, and now three years later he’s sitting on a podium when he goes to these matches,” Wyner says.

Wyner also enjoys the camaraderie he has built with many other soldiers and airmen at these competitions over Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wyner, NHNG state marksmanship coordinathe years. “The people that I’ve met tor, checks target hits during the Marksmanship Advisory Council across the nation and the knowledge “MAC” Region 1 Championship on that I gained from people that I never Aug. 18 at the Camp Ethan Allen would have met had I not taken part in Training Site in Jericho, Vt. Photo: Spc. Joseph Liggio, NYNG Public Affairs, these competitions is a huge thing to courtesy NH Army National Guard me,” he adds.

The Guard’s marksmanship program helped Wyner find a direction that he never knew existed before he joined. He believes one of the Guard’s greatest strengths is how it can help young people discover their hidden talents and passions, so they can find out who they are.

“The opportunities that I’ve been afforded within the Guard not only as it relates to the shooting on the marksmanship side but just in general, have really kind of molded me into the person I am today,” Wyner says.

Eleven New Hampshire National Guard marksmen competed at the Marksmanship Advisory Council “MAC” Region 1 Championship held Aug. 18- 20 at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. Led by Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wyner, state marksmanship coordinator (third from left), New Hampshire fielded three teams of soldiers and airmen, won first and second place team aggregate, and earned 30 total team and individual awards. Courtesy photo NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 25

Let Extreme NH Army National Guard Training

Test Your

I

t was mid-March, the coldest month of the year in the Arctic Circle, when New Hampshire Army National Guard Capt.

Robert Matzelle and Staff Sgt. Michael Avard and 35 other U.S. and Canadian soldiers started Guerrier Nordique 23.

U.S. Army and Canadian soldiers secure an insertion area after disembarking an LC-130 Hercules skiplane from the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard on March 15 near Cornwallis Island, Nunavut. The aircraft delivered the soldiers on frozen oceanic Arctic ice.

Photo: NH Army National Guard

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For the next three weeks, Matzelle, Avard and their fellow soldiers would engage in a grueling training exercise that emphasizes survival just as much as combat readiness.

“It was like nothing like I had experienced before,” recalls Matzelle, who is also a Manchester police officer. “It got down to 50 below zero. We were navigating on snowmobiles across the Arctic Sea ice.”

Matzelle said his years of active duty in the Army and his cold weather training at the Army Mountaineering Warfare Center in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom definitely helped him complete this training.

Resolute Bay is one of the few places that is located above the 60th parallel or the Arctic Circle, according to a U.S. Army press release. The 37 soldiers boarded an LC-130 plane at the Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Center in Resolute Bay. They were flown northwest to a location just east of Little Cornwallis Island in Nunavut.

Airmen from the 109th had groomed a ski landing area on the Arctic ice, which is where the aircraft landed. The location was previously secured by a small section of U.S. Soldiers, Canadian Rangers and a Canadian Pathfinder.

After landing, Army officials reported that soldiers disembarked and set a security perimeter 100 meters from the landing zone. Dressed in overwhite camouflage, soldiers established their security positions. Soldiers were equipped with individual weapons, machine guns and everything they needed to sustain themselves for up to three days in the Arctic.

Mettle Matzelle is the commander of a 152-man infantry mountain unit based in Milford that is part of the Vermont and New Hampshire Army National Guard. The New Hampshire Charlie Company is part of the Vermont Infantry Battalion, the 3rd of the 172nd Infantry. His unit’s headquarters in located at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Vermont. If the New Hampshire Charlie Company is deployed, it would fall under the Vermont Infantry Battalion, Matzelle says.

Members of Matzelle’s unit have access to extreme training opportunities if they want to pursue them. “My policy as the unit’s commander is I will never ask soldiers to do more than their annual basic requirement. But if they want to pursue different opportunities and do different things, the world is their oyster.”

This fall Matzelle says he sent Avard to Croatia to go to a NATO mountaineering training school.

“If you’re an outdoorsy person, Charlie Company is definitely the place to be,” Matzelle adds.

For young people who are recent high school

graduates, college students or post-college students who are searching for those kinds of experiences, the New Hampshire Army National Guard has a great deal to offer.

“It is really a unique, amazing opportunity,” Matzelle says. “People pay tens of thousands of dollars to go up with guide expeditions, and you are getting paid for it in the Guard.”

“Army years are like dog years, where every human year is seven dog years. It will take you one year to do these opportunities instead of seven years for someone else,” Matzelle says.

Soldiers who go through this training are transformed in ways they cannot imagine.

“They are thrust in positions of leadership and responsibility where you not only have to worry about yourself but other soldiers,” he says. “That is a pretty heavy weight to put on the soldiers of Guard members.”

When soldiers complete the training offered

by Matzelle’s mountain infantry unit, they are transformed into confident, capable leaders who are poised to succeed in any career they choose.

Above, right: Capt. Robert Matzelle of the New Hampshire Army National Guard grows icicles on his face while setting up camp on March 12 in Resolute, Nunavut.

Below: U.S. Army and Canadian soldiers near Cornwallis Island, Nunavut.

Photos: NH Army National Guard

“Specifically, we are looking for soldiers with experience. Part of being a mountain infantry company is the skills and abilities that each member has. We are specifically training to fight in mountainous terrain,” Matzelle says.

“There are several courses taught to members of the unit in the summer and winter time.

They give you a lot of tools in your tool box on how to handle soldiering in extreme terrain and weather.”

That specialized training has definitely helped Matzelle navigate military and civilian life much easier than if he had not served in the Army or the National Guard.

“I think I was able to learn and grow and develop as a police officer, because I had all of these different experiences, and I was only 26 years old at the time. I was living life in fast forward,” says Matzelle, who is now 31. He and his wife, Kathryn, and their two boys live in the Concord area.

“The most valuable lessons you are will learn is you will fail the first time. But that’s why we train, so we can be successful when it counts,” Matzelle says.

One of the main reasons that U.S. and Canadian soldiers engage in the Arctic Circle training exercises is because of a changing world influenced by global warming, Matzelle says.

“Shipping lanes that were once inaccessible are now open. It is open to Russia, China, Norway and other Nordic countries,” Matzelle says.

Matzelle’s journey to becoming a Manchester police officer and a New Hampshire Army National Guard Mountain Infantry unit commander began in New York City.

“I am from Brooklyn and grew up in Queens and Long Island,” Matzelle says. He joined the Army in 2011, and his first posting was in Anchorage, Alaska. As much as he and his wife

NH NEXT 2023-2024 | 27

loved Alaska, he missed his extended family in the New York City area.

During his active duty, Matzelle served two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq and Syria. He also worked at the Army’s Mountain Warfare Center in Vermont as a member of the Vermont Army National Guard for four years after he left active duty in 2018.

But he and his wife wanted to be closer to his family. One day a friend of Matzelle’s father who had served as a New York City police officer for 24 years and later became a New Hampshire state trooper, told Matzelle he should consider the Granite State.

“My wife and I really loved it. It is a day’s drive back to the city to see family,” Matzelle says.

Matzelle believes that service in the New Hampshire Army National Guard can serve as a gateway for young people to find out who they are and what they want to be.

“When people think of the military, there are people that are good for the Army, and there are people the Army is good for,” Matzelle says. “Intangible factors like maturity and leadership and responsibility and confidence and competence; all of these things you can’t tough or feel, but are absolutely real.”

Matzelle says some soldiers will come into the Guard and say, “What’s in it for me?” Then they will be put in a position of leadership, and they will think, “Man, I hope I don’t let these guys down, and I hope I will do my best for them.”

“You get more satisfaction to see your men succeed than anything. Nothing makes me prouder and happier then when my soldiers go out and do something good,” Matzelle says.

“It is a true reflection of your abilities as a leader.”

NH Army National Guard Capt.

Robert Matzelle completes a road march. Photo: NH Army National Guard

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