Martin-Seidel prepares to leave for South Korea
Posted 3/6/03

Private First Class Melissa (Missy) Martin-Seidel of Fort Huachuca, Arizona is serving her country and preparing to say good-bye to her husband.

A 1990 graduate of Milaca High School, Missy joined the National Guards in December 2000 then joined the Army in May 2002.

Married to her husband David less than a year, Missy said good-bye to him on Monday, March 3. David just completed Initial Entry Training at Fort Huachuca and is now going to South Korea.

"Itís hard, but we expected that," Missy said of her husbandís departure to a foreign country.

She joined the Army to serve her country, Missy says, but she also appreciates the education that comes along with it.

Because she went active last May, she hasnít quite finished obtaining her bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota - Crookston, but hopes to earn it in either computer science or business management.

As for the military, she has signed up for electronic warfare. She will complete her Initial Entry Training in June.

"The training has been challenging," Missy says of the courses in electronics.

But she says basic training wasnít as difficult as she expected. "Iím doing good," she wants friends and family to know.

And her father does know, based on the letter he received from Missyís commanding officer Captain Scott A. Pettigrew, U.S. Army Military Intelligence.

In his letter to her father, Bob Martin, Pettigrew says, "Melissa has been an outstanding soldier who has diligently applied her time and efforts to learning her duties, responsibilities and specific job skills since joining the Command."

Missy may be joining her husband in South Korea in July as the two are part of the married couples program, but itís not for certain yet.

David is expected to be in South Korea for a year. If she joins him, they could be there for two years.

Missyís also thinking of submitting papers to become an officer, and if sheís accepted it will be that much longer until sheís with her husband again because of the training.

She wants to become an officer to make a difference for the soldiers she says.

"Theyíre the foundation of the Army," Missy said of the soldiers.

The pending war with Iraq and the turmoil in North Korea gives Missy mixed feelings.

"Iím kind of excited in a way, but Iím nervous, too," she says.

Her father is concerned also.

"Iím definitely worried. I wasnít really in favor of her joining the service in the first place," Martin said.

Martin was in the National Guard and the Army from 1961-1965. Missyís uncles served in the military as well - one in the Korean War and the other in Vietnam.

"I know what it was like," Martin said of the Army. "But thatís what she wants to do and sheís old enough to do what she wants."

Missyís mother Pat says of her daughterís military career, "I think sheís doing really good. Iím really proud of her."

Regarding Missy going to South Korea, Pat said, "I wasnít too happy about that. But, she doesnít say too much about it. I worry about her and hope everything turns out okay."

Later in Pettigrewís letter, he writes to Martin, "You should be proud of her accomplishments. Melissa is an excellent soldier who I believe will make significant contributions to the Army and our country.

"The Army and the nation owe you a debt of gratitude for raising such a conscientious and patriotic American."