A series to share #smiles across our community through the achievements of our local youth, brought to you by Olsen Orthodontics.
Written by Vince Tropea
(Dubois, WY) – Dubois High School Junior Briauna Grove’s journey into the U.S Army National Guard became official on December 9, when family, friends, and community members gathered at the National Museum of Military Vehicles for her enlistment ceremony.
While most enlistment oaths are done in an office and college signings are in a gym or auditorium, Briauna got the opportunity to redo her oath on top of one of the tanks on display at the museum.
Briauna told County 10 that she had thought a lot about joining the Army National Guard as a kid, especially because she has multiple family members who have served in the military, but when she turned 17, she decided it was something she truly wanted to pursue.
“I feel like joining the Army is something that will help me realize the different perspectives out there, and just how everything works on the inside of the government,” Briauna shared.
Her plan is to be a 91 Bravo Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. She heads to boot camp this summer.
“I leave June 2 for Fort Sill, OK, and then after boot camp, I’ll come back and do my senior year. Then, after I graduate from high school, I will go to AIT, which is advanced individual training. That’s where I will learn how to do my job.”
After all of her training is complete, Briauna said she eventually wants to become a military psychologist.
“I’m starting to take courses on general psychology and then eventually make my way up to helping out retired soldiers or soldiers who have had traumatic experiences.”
Briauna described getting to redo her enlistment oath atop the tank as “a very special moment” that was “pretty cool.” She went on to thank her family, friends, and community.
“I don’t think I’d be able to be where I am now without them. They’ve been a big influence on my decision to help serve my country and to take a big step in life.”
Briauna’s parents later shared with County 10 how proud they are of her.
“It feels wonderful. I am extremely proud of her. She has always been an individual and extremely driven,” Briauna’s mother, Katie Grubb-Grove, said, adding that Briauna was the first girl to play on the Dubois Football team and make a touchdown. “She’s just always been that kid.”
“She’s that teenager who can saddle up horses and mules and take people out by herself, fishing in grizzly bear country. …She’s a very awesome kid. From a mother’s standpoint, I’m extremely proud of my child. Very self-driven. She’s been a wild ride to raise though, I’ll give her that.”
Katie also highlighted Briauna’s time in Texas during middle school with the National Cutting Horse Association, where she qualified for the Youth World finals.
“Briauna is and always has been a very goal-oriented person who sets her sights high and pushes to achieve her goals and excellence; watching her grow into the young woman she is today has been nothing less than amazing,” Briauna’s father, Kelly Grove, also shared. “Bri is a super brave, loving, personable, determined, and adventurous person who will push and do whatever it takes to make her goals happen.”
“When she first started talking to me about joining the military, my first thought was, ‘Wow, really?’ With all of the different career paths and opportunities, I told her that if that’s what she wanted to do, I supported her 100%,” Kelly continued. “Bri is always one to accept a new challenge and a new chapter with a smile, and has the determination to do anything and everything she sets her mind to. She will be a huge asset to the National Guard and will do nothing less than excellence. I couldn’t be any more proud as Bri’s father and I love and support her to the end of the universe.”
Congratulations, Briauna!