Never once did serving her country in the military cross Haley Onken’s mind.
Instead, she was laser focused on becoming a veterinarian.
Then reality hit.
“In my senior year of high school I realized that veterinary school and my undergraduate degree would cost a great deal,” the Iowa State second-year veterinary student said, “and I wanted to find a way to pay for at least some of that.”
Enter the Iowa Air National Guard.
Onken enlisted in that branch of the service as a high school senior which is a little surprising since she didn’t even know that a National Guard branch existed for the Air Force. Conversations with relatives, including an uncle and cousin serving in the Air National Guard, helped push her toward that service.
“I talked to a recruiter and learned about all the benefits,” Onken said. “I was sold. I mean, a free undergraduate degree – sign me up!”
Like her desire to become a veterinarian, Onken has been firmly committed to the Iowa Air National Guard. She has risen quickly in the ranks and is currently a Staff Sergeant. Her current obligations include attending all drill weekends and a one to two-week annual training typically held in the summer.
Those obligations continue even though her full-time “job” is being a veterinary student.
“The year before I started veterinary school, the weekend drills were changed from Friday to Sunday, which would have required me to miss some lectures and labs,” Onken said. “But my superiors have allowed me to make up Fridays during school breaks so I don’t miss class.”
Even then it can be challenging to fit in the Air National Guard commitments with professional school studies.
“I plan accordingly for exams and drill weekends so I know how to manager my time on that busy weekend to be able to study or complete assignments beforehand if needed,” Onken said. “The Air National Guard has prepared me for veterinary studies by taking me outside of my comfort zone and pushing me to do hard things.”
Onken must be doing something right. In 2024 she was named Airman of the Year for the state of Iowa.
“I’m not sure exactly why I was selected, but this award goes to an individual for outstanding job performance and dedication, leadership, self-improvement, and community involvement,” she said. “Whoever was on the committee must have thought I embodied those characteristics.
“This award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my amazing team and supervisors at the 132nd Wing LRS.”
November 2025