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A Kentucky State University research assistant was recently sworn in to the Army National Guard.

Kristy Allen, an Alabama native, is a research assistant in the Department of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences under Dr. Waldemar Rossi. She’s worked at Kentucky State for three years.

“The National Guard opens a lot of opportunities for careers and education,” Allen said. “It also teaches you discipline, understanding and leadership.”

Allen leaves for basic training at the end of April. When she returns in July, she will be serving in the National Guard and continue working under Rossi.

“As of now, my goals are to commission from Officer Candidate School (OCS), which I will start attending March 2019 and will take me 18 months to finish,” Allen said. “Once I commission I will attend logistics job training.”

Allen said the National Guard is a great opportunity for students.

“It gives them an opportunity to be a part of the military without going active duty,” Allen said. “If you want to make a career out of the military, there is always the option to go active duty or work towards a full-time position with the National Guard.”

Allen received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Montevallo and a master’s degree in aquaculture at Kentucky State.