When Minnesota School of Business-Richfield (MSB) nursing student Michael Kallberg observed a meeting of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) for a health promotions class last year, he had no idea it would lead to a lasting volunteer position and a $2,000 MSB Community Service Scholarship.
Community Service Scholarship winner Michael Kallberg
From Michael’s scholarship essay: “The USNSCC is an organization of young men and women ages 11 to 17. As the name would imply, it is an organization directly tied to the United States Navy. From their website, they explain the mission as: ‘We provide compelling, life-changing programs that instill the values of teamwork, discipline, camaraderie and service through our passionate all-volunteer force and our partnerships with our nation’s armed forces.’”
Michael spent four years in the Air Force before beginning school at MSB and has a stepson who participates in the USNSCC, so it was natural for him to approach the organization for an observation. It was at that very first session that a commanding officer approached Michael and asked him to join their group of volunteer instructors.
Michael spends one weekend per month with the group. He serves as the chief medical officer, where he gets to put his nursing education to use bandaging up skinned knees and monitoring cadets with medical conditions during physical activities. “Some of the children take asthma or ADHD medications, so I’ve really had to bone up on those conditions,” said Michael.
He is also the administrative assistant, tasked with processing paperwork, awards and recognitions.
Of his volunteer work, Michael said: “It’s a fun job! You get jaded seeing kids on the news doing bad things. Now, I can see the cadets doing the right thing. They will take what they learn and use it for good. They are gaining a sense of responsibility. It’s fun watching the kids grow and learn.”
Michael can see the results of the program in his own 14-year old stepson. “I can actually see the growth in him at home; him wanting to take on additional responsibility,” he said.
“It has been over 20 years since I left the Air Force. Being back in a military setting makes me realize how much I miss the camaraderie. I can see myself participating with [the USNSCC] for a very long time, as the Sea Cadets are built around excellent people with excellent values,” Michael wrote in his essay.
Michael recommends that other students volunteer their time as well, particularly those students with military experience. “[The USNSCC] is always looking for speakers with a military background to share their stories with the cadets and let them know what to expect when they join the military,” he stated.
Michael says that he was “elated” upon learning that he won the Community Service Scholarship. He said, “It’s nice that the volunteer work I’ve done gets recognized, and it’s a great thing that MSB does.”
Thank you for all of your service, Michael.
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