Collinsville native enlists in Illinois Army National Guard

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/19/2017) (readMedia)-- Spc. Donn Cooks, of Collinsville, Illinois, was sworn into the Illinois Army National Guard Sept. 29, at the St. Louis Military Entrance Processing Station. Cooks enlisted as a 35P, Cryptologic Linguist, and is assigned to Company M, Recruit Sustainment Program in Shiloh, Illinois. After completing his training, Cooks will earn the Illinois National Guard Grant, which pays 100 percent of college tuition while he is full-time student and a part-time Soldier. He will also receive 50,000 dollars in student loan repayment and will be eligible for the Select Reserve G.I. Bill and federal tuition. Cook's family said they are very proud of him for deciding to serve as a citizen-Soldier. The Recruiting and Retention Battalion and Company M congratulated Cooks and welcomed him into the Illinois Army National Guard. Photo Cutline: Spc. Donn Cooks of Collinsville, Illinois, poses at the St. Louis Military Enlistment Processing Station in St. Louis, Missouri, Set. 29. Cooks enlisted as a 35P, Cryptologic Linguist. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command)