Natalia Spivey used to be a typical college freshman majoring in accounting. She also rushed and joined the Delta Delta chapter of the sorority, Kappa Delta, at Troy University. Today, she’s a far fetch from your average college student. Now, she’s a soldier.
Joining the National Guard
On Nov. 4, 2016, Spivey joined Army National Guard. Spivey explains that she’d thought about enlisting since high school when Army recruiters came to her high school. She says that the biggest reason that drove her decision to join the National Guard was her respect for people in the military. She further explains that she wanted to do something to earn that kind of respect, as well.
Adjusting to life as a soldier
Spivey, who attended college at Troy University in her hometown of Troy, Alabama, explains that her biggest adjustment so far has been living so far from home. During Basic Training, Spivey spent five months away from her family, and she says that’s the longest she’s ever gone without seeing them. However, she explains that her family and her sorority sisters have been extremely supportive of her in this process. For example, upon graduating from basic training, her mom brought her tons of letters from her sorority sisters telling her how proud they were of her. She also explains that while it’s been challenging, she’s gained an immense respect for her country. She also says that she truly understands what it means to have a desire to serve.
Not your average sorority girl
Like Spivey said, her sorority sisters have been extremely supportive of her journey. While Spivey’s sorority big sister, Macie, first found out that Spivey was leaving Troy for a semester, she was upset at first, but she’s incredibly proud of her now. She provided Spivey with a strong support system throughout basic training.
Macie said, “We wrote letters back and forth and she said it was tough, but she pushed through. I am so proud of her for pursuing what she wanted to do and I couldn’t be happier to be her big”.
Destiny Hollis, the president of the Delta Delta chapter of Kappa Delta, said, “When Natalia ran to us on Bid Day, we thought we were proud of her then. She’s a perfect and unique representation of a Kappa Delta woman. Natalia is humble, driven, and beautiful inside and out! Proud is an understatement. We are so thankful for both her service to this country and her sisterhood to all of us”.
