Former Newtown Student Returns To Recruit For The Army National Guard

By Tanjua Damon

Staff Sergeant Mark E. Spencer with the Army National Guard now spends his days at the front of the classroom instead of at a desk as a recruiter. As a former Newtown High School student, who attended the school from 1984 to 1988, the surroundings are familiar to him.

Staff Sergeant Spencer now spends his time teaching students about their opportunities after high school whether it is in college or a in a stint in the military, particularly the National Guard. He has just become the recruiter for the area and spends time at high schools across the region.

Working in an area where he grew up is something that pleases the staff sergeant since his grandfather, Vernon Spencer, and father, Dean, were ministers at the Bible Baptist Church on Sugar Street serving the people in the community along with his mother, Linda, and grandmother, Verna Belle, who was a substitute teacher in Newtown. He looks at his job in a similar way, hoping to touch students’ lives with a realization that planning for the future is important.

“I use some of my past experiences to help students know how I learned the hard way. I didn’t stop to consider the cost of living while I was in high school,” Sgt Spencer said. “I made it through because I worked hard.”

He joined the Army National Guard Reserve about ten years ago, giving one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer as he worked in sales full-time. Then opportunities arose for Sgt Spencer to serve on a full-time basis with the attacks of September 11, the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, and Homeland Security efforts here in Connecticut at local airports. He realized the opportunities military service could provide for him and his family. He currently lives in New Milford with his wife, Brianne, and daughter, Cassidy.

“I tell students they have to look for the areas that give them the opportunity to move up by helping them pay for college or training,” Sgt Spencer said. “I look at they way the students act and how they treat the schools they are in. I think about how it was when I was in school. I was no different than anyone else.”

Sgt Spencer spends time at 12 different schools in the area as well as Western Connecticut State University talking to students about life and what the future holds for them. He has the ability to connect with 12,000 students. He enjoys going to schools so students can feel comfortable and free to ask questions about what the military has to offer them. The Army National Guard provides free tuition to students who attend state schools in Connecticut.

The Army National Guard provides programs for schools as well for career direction, peer pressure, and drugs and alcohol.

“I’ve done a lot in the past ten years in the military. I have enjoyed being in the military,” Sgt Spencer said. “I know the negative results of not listening. I know the results of not taking the advice of those that are trying to help you.”

The National Guard serves each state. Members help with war efforts, humanitarian aid, and homeland security. Those that join spend their time in Connecticut, unless they move to another state before their service time has expired. In that case, a member would serve in the new state. People in the National Guard Reserves also work as police officers, doctors, accountants, and construction workers.

“The National Guard has provided me with free education as far as training. It’s given me discipline,” Sgt Spencer said. “It gives you a whole different look on things. It gives you respect for the things around you leading to how you treat your neighbors, your family, and your community.”

Sgt Spencer hopes he can be like his father and grandfather by helping people and serving the surrounding community. “The whole goal is to help people,” he said. “I don’t care really if students necessarily join the military or not, as long as my influence directs them. It’s better than sitting back letting the world pass you by.”

Staff Sergeant Mark Spencer can be reached at 794-1854 or at his office at 47½ Miry Brook Road in Danbury.