Enlisting in the Army, Enrolling at Calvin University
From 2013-2016, Ashley Spaulding (left), a graduate student at Calvin University, served in the United States Army.
Trigger warning: suicide
Ashley Spaulding was in her second semester at Troy University when she realized she wanted a change. So … she drove 30 minutes from campus and made a big decision.
“I didn’t want my parents to know,” said Spaulding, admitting her decision to do what she did was an act of rebellion. “I sent them a picture with me swearing in.”
Spaulding had enlisted in the Army.
A Big Decision Born Out of Rebellion
“My dad didn’t speak to me after that until I graduated,” said Spaulding, whose dad served for 26 years. “But I have pictures with him at the airport after I graduated, and he was so proud. I think he just needed time to get over the initial shock.”
Spaulding’s decision to enlist was in part to see something new and to get out of Alabama. She did basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and then got stationed in Fort Hood, Texas.
“I was a 42 Alpha, which is a human resource specialist,” said Spaulding. “I did various jobs, related to awards, insurance, emergency notifications, promotions, finance, you name it.”
A Challenging and Formative Experience
Spaulding’s time in the Army was formative, but she was ready to get out once her contract was over.
“I lost a lot of people around me, and strangely enough I never deployed,” said Spaulding. “I lost so many people due to training accidents and suicide. So that’s actually what made me want to get out.”
But before she got out, she experienced a moment that would forever shape her future.
“June 10, 2015—that day changed the trajectory of my life,” said Spaulding. It was a conversation she had with a friend in the Army. He told Spaulding: “You are going to change the world one day.”
Spaulding said that was one of the last conversations she had with him before she learned he committed suicide.
Setting Foot on Another Path
“That’s when I got out of the military and thought I’m going to give this school thing another try,” said Spaulding. “I thought let’s do something different where I can make a difference with people.”
Wanting to see more of the world, she moved to San Antonio, Texas and attended Our Lady of the Lake University where she received her bachelor’s degree in communications disorders. After taking a gap year, she decided to look for a masters of speech-language pathology program.
“I like to think that this is what my friend meant by saving the world. I am able to give everyone a voice, one at a time, that’s the way I took it.”
Discovering an Open Door
When she was researching programs, she found Calvin University … seemingly discovering a path to her dreams—one she could pursue from where she was at.
“I love the flexibility of the program, because I also have a son, he’s eight, so I’ve been raising him in the process of all of this,” said Spaulding. “Calvin was a blessing, to be able to be accepted into the distance education program.”
While she has never set foot on Calvin’s campus, she says her professors have made it feel like she’s right there with them.
“The professors are very supportive and it’s kind of cool how they are able to make you feel like you are there in person with them. They did a really good job with that,” said Spaulding. “I loved with the lectures, they’d be on video and sometimes they’d give us a view of the outside, so it was nice to see Michigan. They made you feel known. They are such sweethearts. You can go to them about anything, and they do the best to help you.”
Going Beyond Her Expectations
Later this month, Spaulding will officially complete her master’s program. What’s next? She’s not sure.
“It’s surreal that I’ve come this far from a 19-year-old raising my right hand to a 30-year-old woman completing a master’s degree program. I’m in a state of shock right now. I’m so proud of myself and in denial that it’s real,” said Spaulding.
And this journey all started because of a rebellious decision, one that Spaulding says was “the best decision ever,” and one she’d make “ten times over.”
Learn more about how Calvin University supports those who have faithfully served in the military.
