Kansas National Guard Helps Soldier Find Direction, Success

TOPEKA, Kan. - In many ways, Spc. Daniel Blount's reasons for joining the Kansas National Guard are typical of many Soldiers: educational benefits, financial stability and a sense of direction in life.

In 2023, Blount, an automated logistics specialist with Forward Support Company, 891st Engineer Battalion, was accepted to Ottawa University, a small National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school, where he qualified for outdoor nationals in the high jump.

"At the time, I wasn't sure about my future or how I was going to support myself long-term," said Blount. "I was nervous, I was stressed, and I really didn't know what things were going to look like."

Life took on a more urgent focus during winter break of his freshman year, when he wrecked his mother's car in a traffic accident and needed to replace it.

"I had heard that Soldiers can come back from basic training in a better financial position, so I decided to take that opportunity," said Blount. "I went to a recruiter, completed my training, and used the money I earned to help buy my mom a new car. Looking back, that situation really pushed me to take accountability for the first time in a serious way."

"The Kansas National Guard has helped me a lot when it comes to education benefits," said Blount. "They've played a major role in reducing my financial burden of tuition and expenses. This has allowed me to stay focused on my academics and athletics while still managing my military responsibilities."

Blount admitted that returning to school after basic training and advanced individual training was not easy.

"I hadn't competed in over six months, and I could feel it," said Blount. "I didn't feel like the same athlete. There was a point where I really questioned if I could get back to where I was or even improve."

Blount credits his teammates with helping him refocus on training.

"By the end of that season, I qualified for outdoor nationals again, which meant a lot to me," he said. "Balancing everything has probably been one of the hardest parts of my journey. There are days where it gets overwhelming. I've had days where I'm exhausted and fighting sleep in class or at work. My leadership and fellow Guardsmen have been a huge support system for me. My noncommissioned officers regularly check up on me - not just during drill weekends, but throughout the month - to make sure I'm staying on track in school and in life. They understand balancing work, school and track is not easy, but they always encourage me to keep pushing toward my goals."

Although Sgt. 1st Class Leon Smith has known Blount for only about a year, he said the young man has impressed him.

"Getting to know my Soldiers with initial counseling in one-on-one sit-down session, Blount told me about joining the National Guard and how much it's changed his life," said Smith. "It inspires me to lead a Soldier like Blount that explains that his success is due to not only his perseverance but to his mom, his beliefs, and the Kansas National Guard."

Now in his junior year, Blount said he is having one of his best athletic seasons. He is currently ranked third in the nation in the high jump with a mark of 2.09 meters and qualified for the 2026 NAIA Indoor National Championship on March 6.

"At that meet, I earned All-American honors by placing fifth overall in the high jump out of 28 athletes," said Blount. "My goal is to hit the qualifying standards for outdoor nationals."

Blount said he plans to make the Kansas National Guard a career and pursue Active Guard Reserve and deployment opportunities.

"The Guard has given me structure and opened many doors in my life," he said, "and even if I don't secure an AGR position, I know it will continue to help me build a strong civilian career."

"Joining the National Guard started as a decision I made out of uncertainty, but it turned into something that really shaped me," said Blount. "It taught me responsibility and helped me grow up. I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am, or jumping as high as I am, without the Guard and the people in my unit."