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 d

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