Who would have ever thought that I would join the military? During the earlier years of my life, I would have never thought I would have chosen to be in the military. It was not an easy decision to make, but I can honestly say I did it. I always thought that I was too much of a girly girl to be doing a manly job in the military. However, I honestly can say I was always in love with the uniform. I never had a reason to love uniforms, I just did. I honestly was afraid of joining the military because I would listen to other soldiers’ bad stories and their war stories. Formal soldiers that I sat down with to have a conversation with gave me an unpleasant experience about the military. After hearing dreadful things about the army, it never crossed my mind again. I had to understand that how one person feels about something may not be how another person feels. I realized I can do anything I put my mind to, and I will never let someone else choose for me.
It was my senior year in 2007, I was walking down the hallway when an army recruiter was standing in a classroom doorway trying to recruit students. I tried my best to avoid this man as much as possible, but it did not work at all. After the recruiter got my attention, he asked me several questions and talked me into taking the ASVAB test to see where I would place and what I needed to work on in case I wanted to join. A few days later I heard from the same recruiter, so now at this point, I am so over this man bothering me about joining the military. I said, “Look, sir, I do not mean any harm, but I am not interested in joining the military it is not for me, and you are wasting your time.' A couple of days later the recruiter came knocking at our door. He came in and pulled out the paperwork which was my test scores. Overall, I passed my ASVAB with a perfect score, and after talking to the recruiter, I agreed to join the military.
After my mom signed the papers, time started rolling by so fast it was ridiculous. I was still a senior in high school when I joined the military. I got sworn in under oath on March 29, 2007, so I officially was an army girl. I graduated high school on May 15, 2007, in West Memphis, Arkansas. Once I graduated high school, I really did not have time to spend with my family or friends. I had less than a month to spend with family because I left for training in June 2007- August 2007. I was not ready for that part of the military to leave my family. During training, I got to travel to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Lee, Virginia. The day I graduated from training was another joyful day in my life because I got to reunite with my family. My family and I did so many wonderful things when they came down for the family day and graduation. After graduation, I was able to go home with my family. I thought I was about to enjoy life since I was back home, but all that changed right before my eyes. After being home and going to my new unit for a month, I received orders for mobilization so now I was really scared and terrified. I had so many thoughts running through my head like I was not ready for this, how could this happen to me, what if I do not return home, how am I supposed to tell my family? I reported to my new unit which was in El Dorado, Arkansas, and I must say I met some great people. I got deployed to Baghdad, Iraq after getting to my new unit. That deployment tremendously changed my life and gave me a different aspect of life and my fears.
I was still young and yes, I listened to the older people because that is just how I was taught. I did what I was supposed to do but listening to the wrong people because of their experience gave me the wrong impression of what today I love. The deployment made me overcome my fears. Going to another country not knowing what to expect is huge. I knew going over there I had people waiting for me to come back home, so I did what it took for me to get back home “Stay alert, stay alive” which is the best advice I can give another person. I learned to overcome a fear I had to do it myself and not based on someone else’s experience or struggle.
As of today, I have been in the military for twelve years. I love and enjoy what I do. I have met some great people and traveled to many places. If I did not choose to join the military, I really do not know where I would be right now. I have learned and gained some great skills. The military has taught me a lot, and I could never trade it for the world. People can do anything that they put their minds to, so do not allow someone else to be the choice of your career, especially when their experiences are bad.