Bell advocates service and education for Guard

Staff Sgt. Steven Bell was 21 when he knew he had to join the Missouri National Guard.

During the flood of 1993, he was helping friends and Family in Dutchtown protect their homes and livelihoods against the waters of the Mississippi. The Citizen-Soldiers were there too, working non-stop.

"They didn't stop day or night," said Bell. "I knew I wanted to do what they were doing. I wanted to be a part of the guys who were saving homes."

In 1994 he enlisted, and within the first five years of service he got his opportunity to help save homes and lives during state emergency duty when St. Genevieve and Commerce experienced floods.

"I love the Citizen-Soldier style," said Bell. "You can stay home, be an active leader in your community and serve the nation."

In 2005 Bell became a recruiter and what brought him to the Guard he hopes to showcase for new applicants.

"You can work on your self-improvement and self-worth, go to school and wear the uniform," said Bell.

Soldiers' education and schooling is his main goal and drive.

Currently he's the non-commissioned officer in charge of the new Show-Me Gold program, an officer training program to instruct and guide new officer recruits at Southeast Missouri State University.

"It's a great program and opportunity for any new Guardsmen looking to go to school, get their education and serve their country as officers," said Bell.

He hopes to build the program up and make it available for Missouri resident long into the future.

"Hopefully it'll be around for years and help the Guard, the university and the community," said Bell. "It'll be a legacy for me to know I was a part of it."

Supporting his Soldiers beyond their education is also very important to him. Being available to support their military careers throughout their time of service is something all recruiters do, but he takes very seriously.

For Bell this includes state emergency duties - when units and Soldiers he supports are called out he volunteers too.

In 2007, during the ice storms Bell didn't hesitate to travel between Farmington and St. Louis on multiple trips to support his fellow Citizen-Soldiers.

"Even though I was just a recruiter and wasn't on state emergency duty status, my guys were out there and I volunteered to make sure they had everything they needed to do their job," he said.

Bell is supported in his military career by his wife, Marybeth; his children Zackariah, 10, Molly Mae, 9, Skylar Lange-Bell, 19, Michaela Matthew-Bell, 19; and his parents Henry and Gladys Pillow.

For information about the Missouri National Guard and the Show-Me Gold program, contact Staff Sgt. Steven Bell at 314-288-5839.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog; www.pinterest.com/monationalguard/