A.J. Talbert earns scholarship, will become officer in Reserve
By Melinda Harrell
Published in News on April 10, 2016 1:45 AM
A.J. Talbert knew he was going to make it when the announcers shouted "15:30."
He was running, and he had been running for three years, trying to pass the physical training test that would get him to Fort Knox, Ky., and a scholarship that would pay for his Winston-Salem State University education.
"The greatest part was when I was running, and I saw that the people I was passing usually pass me," Talbert said.
"Right then, I got this hope, and I am running, and I am passing people and so I think, 'I might get it. I think I can.'"
When he knew he was only a small stretch of track away from achieving a goal that was a long time in the making, he began to laugh and a burst of energy propelled him into a full-bodied sprint.
"When I got the straight path, I heard them call the times out, all I heard was the word 15:30, and I knew I had it. That was all I needed to hear, and I sprint all the way laughing because I knew I had it then."
He crossed the finish line in 15:40, with only 14 seconds to spare.
Passing the physical training test as well as maintaining a high GPA and attending ROTC classes landed Talbert a Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty scholarship of $21,012 earlier this year as well as a chance to train at Fort Knox this summer.
"It took me three good years to get it," said Talbert, now a junior, "A lot of ROTC that joined my freshman and sophomore year, they couldn't get that run so they gave up. They said, 'I'm done.'"
For Talbert, this achievement not only means a shift in tuition burden, but also when he graduates from college with a degree in marketing he will also become an officer in the Army National Guard.
He said, from where he sits, looking back on his years in high school and the struggle to earn such a towering achievement, he is excited.
He hopes to serve his country and service brothers with honor and excellence.
"(I want) excellence in everything I do," he said, "Whoever in the platoon I am put with (I want) to keep them all alive and get them back home. The is the important thing I would say -- have my family and keep my country safe."
The 21-year-old has always been drawn to the military service, joining ROTC in his freshman year in high school.
His mother, Pamela Kittrell, said it was during his orientation at Eastern Wayne High School that he expressed interest in the ROTC program.
Ms. Kittrell said he had originally signed up to join the school's band and play the drums, but had a change of heart.
"I worked out there at the school for four years, and in the back of my mind, I always wanted him to take it, but I never wanted to tell him what to do," she said with a smile.
"So we dropped band and added ROTC, and that is where he excelled."
Talbert said it was really the story of his great uncle, Seaman Sam Sutton, that inspired him to take a look in the military courses.
The story Ms. Kittrell told of how Sutton was able to rescue people at Pearl Harbor resonated with Talbert.
Talbert's great-great grandfather, Willie Tate, also served in the army, Ms. Kitrell said.
"Ever since he has been a little boy, if he saw an airman, from 3 years old, he would salute them, and they would salute him," Ms. Kitrell said.
And now, as Talbert prepares to enter into his senior year at Winston-Salem State University, he has doubled down on his determination to be the best.
"I know how to sacrifice, I believe," he said.
"If I want something, I know I can get it, and I know there is a way. I know how to put things aside that will get in the way."
He said he was able to find his strength to accomplish and persevere in God.
"God is my source of strength, he said.
Ms. Kittrell is proud of Talbert's work and achievements.
"I am so proud of my son," she said.
"Instead of being a statistic, he has proven himself. He is hardworking, determined, he never meets a stranger and helps everyone."