The University News

Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Courtesy Matt Hicks Matt Hicks is proud and thankful for his military experience.

Ever thought about joining the military? Maybe the opinion of someone who has been there would help.

Matthew Hicks, junior, is a member of the National Guard and has had the opportunity to serve his country when he was deployed to Kosovo.

"When I joined the military, at the time I felt like if a young man like me didn't serve his country, then who would?" Hicks said.

However, after spending nine months in Kosovo, monitoring a contract aircraft and witnessing mild riots with demonstrations of political statements when the country declared its independence from the Province of Serbia, Hicks now has a quite different view about the military.

He returned from Kosovo in July 2008, and planned to go back to William Jewell College.

Despite of the military paying for most of his tuition, "it would have been too expensive," Hicks said.

Nevertheless, what does Hicks have to say about UMKC, now that he is here?

"UMKC, hmm," he said. "We are in the middle of the road public school. There are good departments, and the discussions that go around campus are quite left wing. It is not as objective as a true humanistic university should be."

Though UMKC is one of the most expensive public universities, according to Hicks, it was most convenient for him, because he likes the city life here in Kansas City.

Hicks, a Libertarian, is majoring in Liberal Arts with a minor in Political Science, Philosophy and History.

"I like liberal arts as my major, because it gives me the freedom of being able to study what I want to study," he said.

Though he may be ambivalent toward the military itself, he has no doubt that his career in the armed forces is still helping him.

"My military experience has actually been helpful, especially with my political science classes," Hicks said.

Apart from his military duties in Kosovo, Hicks also had the opportunity to work with the people of the European Union, United Nations and NATO.

"I would have not been able to experience what I did, if I had not joined the military," he said.

Despite the respect and the experience, "I wouldn't advise anyone to join the military, not now," Hicks said. "I admired the military because there was a lot of respect and order. I am not scared of being deployed, but I am scared of where I will be deployed and if the war will be justified."

According to Hicks, the direction our country is headed is a very scary one indeed.

"We are going away from the constitution," he said. "It is for this reason I am afraid of violating my faith and morals, because when you raise your right hand - you swear in to serve your country."

jmehta@unews.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools