CV local writes about enlistment

Rosa del Duca writes about the troubling times in her life while she was in the National Guard. After she graduated high school from a small town in Montana, she was looking for ways to pay for her college tuition. She discovers that enlisting in the National Guard not only pays for her tuition, but also allows her to escape her childhood town. 

Rosa del Duca writes about the troubling times in her life while she was in the National Guard. After she graduated high school from a small town in Montana, she was looking for ways to pay for her college tuition. She discovers that enlisting in the National Guard not only pays for her tuition, but also allows her to escape her childhood town. 

With the co-signature of her mother, del Duca happily joined the National Guard at 17. In her head, she could not see anything wrong with enlisting for six years.

After the horrific terrorist attack known as 9/11, del Duca’s views changed. She began to question the morality and humanity of the actions done by the US after the attack. She had to choose between being a US soldier, or being (to some people) a US traitor. 

She talks about her motives and attempts to escape her six-year contract with the National Guard. She faces victory and defeat. 

“I wrote this book to try to explain to an invisible audience why I did what I did and my reasons for doing it. It was also to explain to myself because I felt an enormous pressure,” said del Duca. 

Del Duca brings up a lot of problems that most people are oblivious to. The first problem would be the media romanticizing violence. At schools like CVHS, there are occasional visits from military members who have the intent to recruit high schoolers after they graduate. A lot of the high schoolers who are interested in joining the military are unaware of the large baggage it comes with, del Duca believes. 

Del Duca is part of Before Enlisting, which is a group of people who want to warn kids about the realities of military service. 

“Whether you are joining the National Guard or any branch of the military, it is super important to be aware of the key facts. You are not always guaranteed the job you signed up for and all contracts are eight years,” said del Duca. 

She cautions people to be aware of the statistics and facts about the military. PTSD and veteran suicides are a major problem for a lot of people. Twenty-one veterans kill themselves a day in the US. Moreover, around 20 percent of women are sexually assaulted or raped in the military. Del Duca also warns people to be more aware of the wars that the US is involved in. 

“Vietnam was an unjust war. Iraq was an unjust war and Afghanistan has become an unjust war,” said del Duca. 

Ultimately, del Duca tells a heartfelt and painful story about her time in the National Guard that can motivate people to reconsider joining the military. The book was compelling due to its unique opinion on the US military. Through her words, you can feel every single one of del Duca’s emotions. 

“Don’t only talk to veterans who are proud of their service, but also the veteran who had their limbs blown off. Talk to veterans who are now against the war and ask about why they changed their mind,” said del Duca.