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A group of Minnesota soldiers recently shared what life is really like in the military during panel question and answer sessions at Chisago Lakes High School.

The four servicepersons were at the school in recognition of Veteran's Day last week. They visited with students throughout the day in the Performing Arts Center, giving students the floor to ask a variety of questions about life as a soldier.

The panel included National Guard 1st Lieutenant and CLHS grad Melissa Gilbertson, Army Sergeant- 1st Class Glenn Gilson, Army National Guard Specialist Jamie Egan and Marine Corporal and CLHS grade Kelly Jacobson.

First, the panel members shared their military backgrounds.

Gilbertson wrote operations and served as a platoon leader in charge of 40 medics in Iraq. Now, her job is "the very exciting world of paperwork," Gilbertson said in earnest.

Gilson worked as a facility engineer in construction work in Afghanistan. Egan is a helicopter mechanic who served in Iraq, and Jacobson was in a military unit similar to a SWAT team, helping to run prisons and completing house searches.

One student asked the panel if it is easy to create comraderies, or is the job just too stressful?

"I think its the high stress that gives us that comraderie," Jacobson said. "Here, you build friendships all about having fun. There, you build friendships on who has your back."

Egan said it's a different kind of friendship.

"There, you don't get to choose the people you see day in and day out. It's a different sort of reliance but sometimes that makes it a deeper friendship."

Jacobson added that the people in your unit in the military become your second family, and "help to get you through."

Another student asked if it was difficult to achieve a higher rank.

Jacobson said his rank as an Eagle Scout actually gave him a higher rank when he entered the military.

"There isn't a set time frame for moving up. It's not difficult, but it's time consuming," he said.

Egan said there are a lot of helicopter mechanics, so moving above the fourth-ranked slot she is currently at is very competitive.

Gilson said it's different than being promoted at your job.

"You're judged by what you do and promoted on merit alone," he said. A lot of things are taken into account, so you seek self-improvement all the time."

Gilbertson said she is currently up for captain, which took a lot of time and additional work, such as submitting applications and references. After that, she said it will take at least five years to move up to major.

"The highest rank in Minnesota for my job is lieutenant colonel and that is one of my goals," Gilbertson said.

Another question brought a chuckle from the student audience and a smile to the faces of the servicepeople on stage. A student asked what their favorite time of day is while serving in another country, "like for little kids their favorite time of day is recess," he explained.

The entire panel agreed that anytime a soldier gets to sleep is one of their favorite times of the day.

Egan said it may sound weird, but she liked sandstorms in Iraq. Helicopters can't fly, so work slows down.

Gilson said his favorite time of day would be when he's out doing public relations work - sitting down with village elders, finding out what services they need.

Gilbertson recalled one incident involving Iraqi soldiers during her favorite time of day, helping to rebuild portions of the country.

Iraqi soldiers were convinced that they were somehow poisoned. Gilbertson and the medics gave the Iraqi soldiers white Tic Tacs mints in small baggies and the soldiers believed it made them better.

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