In recognition of Month of the Military Kid, we’d like to introduce some of our exceptional military kids. Meet Maggie Konig!
Maggie is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Community and Nonprofit Leadership with certificates in Asian American Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies. She currently serves as a Military Community Advocate at the Multicultural Student Center through the National Veterans Leadership Foundation and UVS. After graduating this May, Maggie will seek full-time employment in the nonprofit sector, doing special event planning, community outreach, donor relations, and fundraising. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, baking, listening to podcasts, and walking her dog, Turbo.
Q: What brought you to UW-Madison?
A: Knowing that I would be eligible for benefits through the Chapter 35 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill through my dad, I was excited to stay close to my family while receiving an excellent education at one of Wisconsin’s universities. Furthermore, my aunt, uncle, and brother all went to UW-Madison, so the decision was easy. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met while studying here!
Q: To be a military kid means to have a direct family connection to someone who has served or is currently serving, often a parent or guardian. Can you share more about who in your life made you a military kid?
A: My late father, Jon Konig, served two tours of duty in the U.S. Army stationed in Vietnam from May 1966 to May 1968. After returning home, he attended UW-Oshkosh and started his own trucking company, JBT Service, Inc., which is still in business today. While he did not talk about his service often, I have fond memories of watching him reminisce with his younger brother and friends who also served.
Q: What have you learned from being a military kid?
A: My dad continues to inspire me to act with integrity, discipline, and respect for others. Being a military kid meant that I grew up surrounded by others who served and who continue to demonstrate an orientation toward service to their families and communities. I hope to continue this generosity in my future career and volunteer work.
Q: Depending on your personal experiences, growing up as a military kid may or may not be a large part of your identity. Would you say your experiences as a military kid are unique? If so, can you share why?
A: Growing up, I knew other military kids who frequently moved with their families, so I never considered myself one until coming to college. I was raised in Oshkosh, WI with most of my family located nearby. Despite not identifying as a military kid, many of my family members served and participated in veteran’s groups, which allowed me to spend a lot of time with people from a variety of military-related backgrounds.
Q: What do you wish more people knew about being a military kid?
A: After coming to UW-Madison and meeting more military-connected students, I’ve learned a lot about the complexities of this identity. After reading my story and those of students previously featured for Month of the Military Kid, I hope people understand that there is no “one size fits all” description of what it means to be a military kid. Through my work with the National Veterans Leadership Foundation, I’ve also learned just how important it is for military-connected students to build community for themselves on campus. Knowing this, I would encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and attend events, like those put on by UVS, to connect with others with similar lived experiences.