Izik Cox, a 2024 alum of Benjamin Logan High School, graduated March 25 from the Army Basic Leaders Course Class, a training that is required to fulfill the rank of staff sergeant.  

Though Cox was the youngest individual in his class, he was selected by Sgt. Major Matthew Hopkins to be on the Commandant’s List for his graduation ceremony.  

Guest speaker Hopkins told the soldiers to remember: “It is better to be respected than it is to be liked.”  

A hard teaching for sure, but he also reminded them, “Leadership is not power. Leadership really encompasses responsibility. Servant leadership is serving your soldiers first.” 

Army Specialist (SPC) Cox has served in the Ohio Army National Guard for three and a half years, as he fulfilled his Basic Training the summer before his senior year of high school. He continues a strong legacy of military service in his family.  

“Growing up, I had two uncles who had been in the Marines, one uncle in the Air Force, and I had two great-grandpas who were in the Army. I looked up to them. I had always felt that I was geared toward military service,” SPC Cox said.   

“After a lot of thought when I was 16 turning 17 years old, I spent a lot of time praying for direction on what I was going to do with my life. Within the next two weeks after those prayers, I was walking past my Career Readiness Class as a junior, and I saw someone there with a camouflage uniform on. I thought to myself, ‘That’s a recruiter. There’s nothing that his guy is going to say that is going to convince me to join The Ohio Army National Guard.’” 

However, six months later, Izik was on a plane to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., enlisted as a 31Bravo Military Police Officer. 

He had never heard of doing basic training before he became a senior in high school, but recalled, “The man that was in that uniform was Sergeant 1st Class Michael Spees. He ended up being my recruiter.  

“He’s now my team leader in recruiting. I respect him a lot. He provided an opportunity for me that I will never regret. It’s the best thing that I have ever done in my life.” 

Cox is happy with the decision that he made at the young age of 17. Because he made a jump start into his career, he can now retire at the age of 37.   

He is currently a Specialist in the Army, which is the fourth enlisted rank or an E4, but he is now promotable. So, that means that when there is a spot available to become a Sergeant E5, he can be promoted to that slot.  

Currently, he is full-time in the Army National Guard as an ADOS (Active Duty Operational Support) Recruiter. He is also a qualified Military Police Officer.  

“I’ve been through a gas chamber. I’ve thrown hand grenades. I’ve qualified as a sharp shooter on an M4A1 Carbine, an M17 Pistol, and a 240B Light Machine Gun. I’ve repelled down towers, I’ve traveled overseas and met people I will never forget.  

“These are things that I would never have accomplished unless I was in The Guard.” SPC Cox shared.  

Izik insists that young people should examine the pathways to their future. He believes that many opportunities are right in front of them, and they just need to take advantage of them sooner than later.  

“I would say prioritize yourself for your future with humbleness. At the same time, find ways to help others. Get your hands on an opportunity and run with it early. Because you may be surrounded by friends that don’t care. That can’t be you. Don’t let that be you.  

“Nothing is ever going to be perfect or easy, but sometimes the hard things are what makes life worth it. Sometimes you need to sacrifice to do what’s right.” 

As the older generations begin to retire, Cox said, “It’s a beautiful thing to understand that we are next up, and it’s our responsibility as young people to take advantage of that opportunity.

“Whether that is enlisting, enrolling in your dream college, or going to your dream job, just make sure that you have an opportunity in front of you. I just graduated two years ago. I understand how it feels. Don’t let opportunities fall away from you.”  

He reports that the Army has afforded him the chance to travel to Serbia, Poland and Germany. Those were some great times for the young soldier.  

“Those opportunities were provided to me by the Army National Guard and by God. I would have never been able to travel there on my own, and I have memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”   

He will soon attend college without any debt. The Army National Guard has provided him with the resources to live a comfortable life.  

“It makes the world a better place and me a better person,” SPC Cox said of his service.  

The BLHS graduate is thankful for the possibilities he has for his future, and he hopes that he can share that enthusiasm with other young people. 

You can reach SPC Cox by phone at (937) 231-3146 or [email protected] to email him for information on career pathways through the Army National Guard.