The Rocket

Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Nate Daymut Michael Saraka, director of alumni relations, recently re-enlisted in the National Guard. [Click to enlarge]

Stepping into Michael Saraka's office at SRU, one would notice a few U2 posters, some sports memorabilia and a picture of him and his wife, with him in military uniform.

Saraka, 42, director of alumni relations, recently re-enlisted in the National Guard, where he previously served in the 2nd Battalion 103rd Armor in Berwick.

After attending Officer Candidate School, Saraka was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992.

"I decided to go back in for a lot reasons," Saraka said, "I felt like I needed to do something."

After graduating from SRU in 1989, Saraka enlisted in the National Guard to help pay off his student loans. However, he said what he didn't know at the time was that he would learn invaluable lessons from his time spent in the National Guard.

"I liked the order and the camaraderie," Saraka said. "You really learned how to challenge yourself."

One of the most important things Saraka says that he learned from his military experience was learning time management skills and how to plan accordingly.

"My experience has really helped in my civilian career as alumni director in being organized for meetings, delegating tasks and motivating volunteers," Saraka said.

Though back with the National Guard, Saraka will retain his full-time position as SRU's director of alumni relations, devoting one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer to his new position as a specialist E-4.

He said his new position will include processing paperwork for soldiers and for those on active duty.

Along with this new position, he said he has moved from working in the infantry in the armor unit to the headquarters unit in an office setting.

"I don't think I will be getting too muddy," Saraka said, "(but) maybe I will get a paper cut."

In the future, Saraka hopes to stay in the military, to move up in the ranks and to be connected with his home unit in New Castle.

Continued...

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