Marquette Grad from Ballwin Earns Early Promotion

William M. Vedder, 20, of Ballwin told the Missouri National Guard that he sought out a challenge when he decided to enlist last year.

"If they had let us do whatever we wanted I would have thought twice about my decision to join the military," Vedder said.

His dedication to the Guard's regimented training earned him a promotion following the distinction he received of being an honor graduate from Army basic training.

Private Vedder, who graduated from in 2010, said his decision to take part in the Guard's Recruit Sustainment Training gave him an advance look at what basic training would be like, which he credited with his strong performance.

"Recruit Sustainment provided a good taste what you're going to experience during basic training," Vedder told the Missouri National Guard. "It's the best RSP program in the nation. You really get the impression that the instructors want you to succeed—that they genuinely care.

"It was like a science," Vedder said. "Everything you do in basic training has a specific purpose."

Vedder, whose family has a tradition of military service, has since been assigned to a combat support unit in the 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment.

"My grandfather served in the Army and my father was in the Navy so I decided I wanted to experience military life," he explained. "And I have no regrets."

Vedder said he would like to attend Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA.

Vedder is the son of William Vedder of Ballwin and Dawn Vunnell of Lake Alford, FL.