Driven to serve: From the National Guard to Mizzou, Cole Ortbals is building a future with purpose
When Cole Ortbals thinks about his future, he doesn't picture himself sitting behind a desk all day.
He imagines responding to emergencies, helping people through difficult situations and facing new challenges every day.
The 20-year-old University of Missouri freshman has his sights set on becoming a Missouri state trooper. And while he knows the job won't always be easy, that's part of what appeals to him.
His enthusiasm for law enforcement began during his junior year at Blair Oaks High School, when he attended a career expo at the Missouri State Highway Patrol's headquarters.
The experience opened his eyes to the many opportunities within the organization. After participating in several ride-alongs, he was hooked.
He was drawn not only to the variety and excitement of the work, but also to its central mission: public safety.
For Ortbals, that commitment to helping others was already familiar.
A foundation of service
Growing up near Jefferson City, Missouri, Ortbals admired military service members and law enforcement officers.
As a child, he made a point of thanking veterans when he encountered them in public. Later, he became involved in Operation Bugle Boy, a volunteer organization dedicated to honoring veterans.
Through the organization, he helped with appreciation events, including dinners where veterans gathered to share their experiences.
Those conversations left an impression.
"They're just really genuine and incredible people," he said.
Over time, his admiration developed into a desire to serve himself.
In January 2025, Ortbals enlisted in the Army National Guard. He completed 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training, followed by approximately eight months of Advanced Individual Training, graduating in May 2026.
He trained as a small arms and towed artillery repairer, responsible for maintaining and repairing military weapons systems.
Today, he continues to serve in the National Guard while pursuing his education at Mizzou.
A different kind of preparation
Although Ortbals plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, he chose to study at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business.
It's a decision he made deliberately.
Rather than majoring in criminal justice, Ortbals wanted an education that would broaden his skills and help distinguish him professionally.
He's currently considering accountancy, drawn in part by his aptitude for mathematics and his interest in financial management.
But his ambitions extend beyond becoming a state trooper. He hopes to build a long-term career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, potentially moving into leadership and administrative roles.
He believes a business education could help prepare him for those responsibilities while giving him skills that will serve him throughout his life.
His National Guard service also provides educational benefits that are helping make his Mizzou education possible.
For Ortbals, the combination of military service and college is about making the most of the opportunities available to him.
Learning to lead himself
The transition from military training to college has brought some unexpected contrasts.
During basic training, Ortbals followed a highly structured schedule, with nearly every part of his day directed by drill sergeants and other military leaders.
At Mizzou, he's responsible for managing his own time.
He's also noticed differences in how people approach authority, discipline and responsibility.
Military training, he said, changed how he presents himself and interacts with others.
Those experiences reinforced a philosophy he now carries into college: Don't shy away from difficult or unfamiliar opportunities.
"Every opportunity or task is a chance to make yourself stand out," Ortbals said. "Do the thing that may seem uncomfortable or difficult."
It's advice he takes seriously.
His mother regularly tells him how proud she is of what he's accomplished. He appreciates the encouragement, but he isn't inclined to rest on his achievements.
"I never feel like I'm doing enough, and I always want to keep going and do more," he said.
More than one day of gratitude
As Veterans Day approaches, Ortbals thinks about the men and women whose service first inspired his own journey.
He believes Nov. 11 is an important opportunity to recognize veterans, but he also hopes people remember that gratitude shouldn't be limited to a single day.
"We thank them on Veterans Day, but it should be more than just Veterans Day where we thank them," he said.
For Ortbals, honoring veterans means recognizing the sacrifices that have helped make opportunities possible for others.
It's a lesson he learned long before he put on a military uniform himself.
And as he continues his education at Trulaske, it's a commitment he hopes to carry into his future career — serving his community, embracing challenges and finding new ways to make a difference.