Aby Shubert's Day With The Montana National Guard

Meet the Griz is a series where we tell the stories of Montana Grizzlies athletes, coaches and contributors.

Meet Aby Shubert - 2nd Year Lady Griz Guard

Lady Griz guard Aby Shubert had thoughts of joining the Naval Academy to play basketball coming out of high school. Instead, Shubert committed to Xavier.

Last Friday, Shubert got a taste of the military life after all.

Aby and other Griz athletes had the privilege to spend a day in the life of a Montana National Guard soldier.

"So the day started off by us getting picked up in the Oval on campus by a Blackhawk helicopter," said Shubert. "So they flew us to Helena, to the National Guard base."

Left to Right: Waddington, Shubert, Dick, Gillman. Credit: Montana National Guard

And then, the real test began.

"We did a simulation of shooting snipers. Then they took us out to the range, and we shot at some targets and did a little competition," explained Shubert.

"We actually got to shoot machine guns too, which was super cool - never thought I'd get to do that."

via GIPHY

Next, Shubert and the gang had to test their strength.

"We did repelling off of, like, a tower, so that was super cool. There was a side with a wall where you could kick off, and then, I didn't do the other side. I was a little too scared after the first one, but there was a side where you literally just dropped down and you had to lower yourself without any wall."

Waddington repels. Credit: Montana National Guard

I don't blame you, Aby.

Then became the real physical training. Shubert said they had to run through the training that the Guard puts their soldiers through twice a year.