Bailey Clark pulls double duty as a MSU Sugar Bear, and something on the complete opposite side of the spectrum.
“When I joined in high school, my senior year, I came back to school and was like, ‘I joined the military’ and everyone was like, are you serious?” said Clark.
It’s different than what other people are used to, but for the Clarks’ this life-path is one well traveled.
“One thing that was really cool for me is that the basic training site is the exact same when my grandpa and my dad went through, so I got to walk across that same bomb run as they did on my graduation day, so that was a really memorable moment,” said Clark. “Like, I’m the third generation to be able to walk across this bomb run, so that was really neat.”
Now as a sophomore at Missouri State, Bailey is also a medic in the Air Force National Guard. Trying to balance her training schedule with her dance schedule, is a job in itself.
“Thinking three months in advance just to make sure everything plans out, but it doesn’t always, but we work around it,” Clark said.
There are some things though that we can’t prepare for, and that’s exactly what Bailey is trained to do.
“Natural disasters in Missouri, so yes if there was a natural disaster in Missouri that we need to respond to, I’m straight there,” Clark said.
As a medic, Bailey gets hands on medical experience.
“I’ve got to see the ins and outs of the hospital during my phase training. I got to work in the ICU. And just being able to be around people and getting that experience is worth it in the end,” said Clark.
Worth it, because within the year, Bailey plans on applying to nursing school, and she’ll have the background to stand out.
“I know a lot of kids that are going to nursing school haven’t actually had that opportunity of working in a hospital, so I think that kind of sets me apart in that way,” said Clark.
Bailey isn’t afraid of standing out, and encourages others to do the same.
“I would love to get it out there that it’s a great opportunity and that a lot of people over look it,” said Clark. “It’s just been great for me and I want girls my age to know that if they want something they can go after it and don’t let anyone tell you no. And military, don’t frown upon it, because it’s a great option.”
