My father was in the Army and my mother was in the Air Force when they meant. They got married in 1974 and I spent my child as an Army brat moving from base to base. My Dad retired and we eventually ended up in Colorado. Our moving around always gave me both a sense of adventure and unfortunately a little disconnect from other people. I have learned to love to travel and to enjoy everywhere I live. I love the outdoors and photography. Artwork and poetry has been a stabilizing force in my life. The irony is that I growing up surrounded by the Army did not dissuade me from joining.
I always knew that I wanted to serve my country but I wanted to be an officer. I went to college first and thought that I could make it through OCS. I didn’t make back in 1999 and I realised that I didn’t believe in myself enough. I knew I still wanted to serve so, On July 7th 2011 I joined the US Army. I wasn’t going to be sent home and I knew that I was going to make it. I knew this time I wasn’t going to quit on myself no matter what. This strength helped me make it through basic and through AIT. On April 01 2013 I became a proud part of ARMEDCOM by completing my training as a medical lab technician. There were so many places that I thought I wasn’t goi g to make it but I had some amazing support and inner strength that I made it through. It was unfortunate That I did not know I had already injured my back and would continue down a long journey trying to repair the damage done by the Army. I always wanted to retire with the army and like my Dad I wanted to serve for twenty years. That appears to not be in the cards. As of this year I am being medboarded. This is both a relief and bittersweet after all the work I did to join. I have always wanted to serve my country and now I can say that I did. I have met many amazing people and change my life in many ways. The pain that I have endured has indeed made me stronger.
I have been on several AIT missions where I have helped cadets fellow soldiers with medical readiness. Working at the SRP was both frustrating and full of life learning lessons. I was hoping to get promoted and to further my career. I was starting to do better physically and learned a new technique to be able to run. I left without getting promoted and didn’t earn my commission. I hadn’t accomplished anything that I wanted. They wanted to Medboard me then and I wasn’t ready. I got home and a few months later I was even worse my back my leg I could hardly walk and I was having problems working.
I have been to a few places and assisted many soldiers with their medical readiness. I have learned that I am stronger than what I thought. I have met many amazing leaders but also met some not so great leaders. I have been witness to events that saddened me and made sure that the perpetrator did not get away with their crimes. I am hoping that I will continue to grow and that my medical issues will continue to heal. I look forward to the future and giving back to the community. Wing in the military has been an opportunity that I will never regret taking. I’m now stronger and I hope that I can share that strength.
About the Creator
mary
I’m an artist, photographer, and writer. I’m look forward to being able to express my creativity again.
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