Army National Guard Sergeant Looks Ahead To A Law Enforcement Career

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown native Christine Jeltema, 25, says she’s always been “drawn” to the criminal justice and law enforcement field.

“Growing up, I would hear the sirens, see the [fire] trucks or ambulances,” she remembers. “It was exciting.”

Though it may be tempting to characterize the fit, self-assured young woman as a no-nonsense person with a yen for sports and daring Fear Factor chutzpah, Christine said she wasn’t really involved in sports during her school years.

“I was in band!” the 1997 Newtown High School graduate said with a small smile.

“After graduating, I wanted to do something different,” she said. “I thought joining the National Guard was a good idea mainly because it would allow me to save money for college.”

She applied and was accepted to Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, entering the freshman class in fall of 1997 and majoring in criminal justice.

At the same time, she began her six years of required service for the Army National Guard. She was required to work at least one weekend and two weeks during the year.

During her initial tenure, Christine was stationed in Hungary, where she served as a medic in relief efforts in Bosnia and later Nicaragua. The experiences, she said, made her feel more capable and confident.

“I also loved the unit I was with,” she said. “They were all great people. It was like a [second] family.”

There was about an equal number of men and women, she said, all young and representative of a variety of economic and cultural backgrounds.

After returning from abroad, she acquired a full-time job working for the Connecticut National Guard’s Drug Prevention program.

A primary distinction of substance abuses in urban cities, such as Bridgeport, “is that its right out there,” Christine said. “It’s part of the culture.” Children can inevitably become exposed to substance abuse by witnessing drug abuse by family members.

In a rural or suburban area, such as Newtown, however, substance abuse is largely hidden from public view. “It’s not in your face,” said Christine. “But it’s definitely there.”

Christine decided to reenlist for another three-year tenure in the National Guard this past year. Promoted to sergeant, she became increasingly interested in becoming a state trooper.

“I’d definitely had my experience through my National Guard service, as well as my education in criminal justice,” said Christine. “I could also choose from different areas [as part of the Connecticut state police].”

She is considering becoming a narcotics officer in the future. But first, she had to apply and be accepted.

“It was a long process,” she said. “I remember openings being posted at WestConn and going for a basic test with my friend on a whim. I was really happy when I passed!”

The test, she said, was a fundamental examination of skills in a variety of subjects, from writing and reading comprehension to mathematical ability.

She was recently among just 70 students, out of approximately 4,000 applications, accepted to the Connecticut State Police Academy training facility in Meriden.

“The [six- to eight-month] training is going to be very intensive,” said Christine. “It will be like going through the basic training I did for the National Guard all over again!”

Classes begin October 1.

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Christine. She said she was also looking forward to her continued service with the National Guard.

One of the biggest misconceptions of the Guard, she said, was that, as a rescue and protection force, members were less heavily trained than those in other areas of the military. “We receive the same exact training as the Army,” said Christine.

She also commented on recent public concern over the number of Guardsmen being deployed overseas to be stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. “We all know the possibility of what can happen when we join,” said Christine, who said there was a strong possibility that she could be deployed herself in the future.

“I am not really that worried if I am sent [to Iraq],” she said, describing it all as “part of the job.”

She reflected on how her parents, particularly her father, were nervous about her joining the Guard. “He wasn’t sure why I joined, in the beginning,” Christine. “He was worried.”

But, over the years, she said, he has been filled with nothing but pride toward his young daughter. “Yeah,” she admitted, smiling, “he’s pretty proud of me.”

She encouraged other students to consider joining the National Guard.

“It gives you a lot more confidence, and you become more disciplined, more focused,” she said. She said her participation in the Guard, and the places it has brought her, was among the best decisions of her life.