JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska –
The leaves aren’t the only thing changing in Alaska this fall. For Cadet Gabriel Gravel, an Alaska Army Guardsman attending University of Alaska Anchorage, transformation is also happening on his journey from enlisted Soldier to officer through the Army National Guard’s Simultaneous Membership Program.
Gravel joined fellow Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets from UAA and University of Alaska Fairbanks for their annual joint fall field training exercise at JBER on Sept. 17-20. During the multi-day event, cadets were challenged with land navigation, patrolling and obstacle courses, all while developing the leadership traits needed to earn a commission.
The Simultaneous Membership Program allows enlisted Soldiers the chance to pursue a college degree while preparing to become officers. For Gravel, the transition builds on years of exposure to the Army National Guard, first in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, then as an enlisted Soldier before stepping into the cadet role.
“When I was in JROTC I talked to senior and retired officers, lieutenant colonels and majors,” he said. “I picked their brains, and it led me towards something I wanted to do.”
In addition, Gravel said his enlisted experience provides an advantage in ROTC training and defines the type of officer he wants to become.
“I want to be a humble officer that can work together with NCOs,” he said. “Overall, officers' knowledge complements NCOs’ skills.”
That perspective guided him through the FTX as he leaned on lessons learned from the enlisted side of the Army.
The exercise reminded Gravel that leadership is about teamwork, not individual achievement.
“No matter how you think—it should end up with one common goal and you’re all going to get it done together,” he said.
He credits his peers for building his confidence, even when facing obstacles like the rope climb.
“By the end of the FTX I was way more confident. Everybody trusted me more than I trusted myself,” he said.
Looking back, Gravel said the experience reinforced both humility and resilience. He encourages other cadets to embrace the challenge.
“Don’t be afraid to embrace the suck,” he said. “It might be raining, it might be 120 degrees, but the best thing is that you’re doing it with other cadets next to you.”
Ultimately, for Gravel, the SMP program is more than a path to a commission. It is a journey where lessons from simultaneous service meet the challenges of officer training, shaping a leader who values trust, teamwork and courage.
“They are going to rely on me, so I have to believe in myself to achieve the mission,” he said. “No matter what, I’ll always do what's necessary for both me and my battle buddies to accomplish our mission.”
Servicemembers aged 17 to 28 have a unique opportunity to earn a college degree with major financial support through the Minuteman Scholarship with the Alaska Army National Guard. Four scholarships are available, offering full tuition and fees or $12,000 annually for room and board at colleges and universities with Army ROTC programs
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To learn more about eligibility and application instructions, please contact 1LT Valentin Soto at (907) 428-6813 or Valentin.Soto4.mil@army.mil.