Newtown Resident Graduates From

Basic Training

By Susan Coney

Dylan Borst knew since he was in middle school that some day he would serve in the military, and now he has realized that dream. Dylan, a recent January graduate from Newtown High School, completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., on April 22. He enlisted in the army last June and reported for basic training on February 10 of this year.

Home on leave until June 20, Dylan will report for permanent duty, as a crewmember dealing with the Multiple Launch Rocket System, at Fort Sill, Okla. Having always had an interest in the artillery division, Dylan had the opportunity to select the job he wished to perform while fulfilling his three-year commitment.

“I picked my job. It’s what I wanted to do. I always wanted to do something in artillery,” he said. “I’ve gone through job training and will continue to receive more specialized training when I report back. As part of the drill crew in Oklahoma, I will work in the ammo department, moving ammunition and doing inventory,” Dylan said.

Asked if basic training was the nightmare it is always made out to be, Dylan commented that it was actually easier than he expected. “It wasn’t the way movies and television hype it up to be. It is more of a mental thing,” he said. The worst part he admitted was never having any down time and constantly moving at a fast pace.

Dylan has a twin sister, Wendy, who has been supportive of his decision. She will graduate from Newtown High School this month and will attend Temple University to study secondary education and English. Speaking about his sister, Dylan said, “I didn’t realize it until I had gone away to basic training, but we are closer than I realized.”

Dylan’s parents Laurie and Jim Borst, along with his grandparents Barbara and Joe Borst, were able to attend the graduation ceremony held at Fort Jackson. His mother commented, “As a mom, the army would not be the choice I would have made for him, but it’s his life and he has to decide what will make him happy. He knew regardless of what we tried to tell him that he wanted to be in the artillery division.” She added, “After the graduation ceremony it certainly has become very real; I’m very proud of him.”