I joined the military in May of 2001 to get money for college. I was working on my Associates Degree and never anticipated being sent to war. I remember watching the events of September 11th play out on TV and realized that I would most likely be headed overseas.
I served in the United States Army and worked in a transportation unit. I was sent to Kuwait from My main responsibilities were loading and unloading vehicles for convoy. I thought Kuwait was hard, but that was until I was sent to Iraq. After being home for only a couple of months, I got word that I was being sent to Iraq in January ’05. I was terrified and had no idea what to expect. I returned from Iraq in December ’05.
In Iraq, I rose to the rank of sergeant. I drove a gunner escort truck. My responsibility was to escort fuel and water to different camps. I encountered IED and mortar attacks on numerous occasions. Three of my close friends died in Iraq. One of them was manning a post that I left 10 minutes before the bomb went off. As a Sergeant I couldn’t let herself cry in front of my soldiers. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. I wanted to stay strong for my team, but when I got back to her bunk, I balled.
Upon returning to the US, I was very proactive about figuring out which benefits I was entitled to as a veteran. I’m currently taking full-time college classes paid for by the military. I live with my boyfriend – he’s the father of my 11 month-old son. My boyfriend works as a truck driver and is away 5 days a week. I take my son to day-care when I’m at school. My boyfriend and I are working around the clock to make sure our son is never in the same situation I was in.
I volunteer at the local VA Medical Center to help other vets returning from war. I feel my purpose in life is to help. The same way I was a leader in Iraq, I’m a leader at home. My dream is to one-day purchase a house. I’m currently working to get out of debt, a majority of which is school loans from my Associates Degree.