I am currently serving in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and have served for over 10 years. I joined the military when I was 17 since I didn’t have a clear direction on what I wanted to do with my life. All my friends had colleges picked out and knew what career path they were going down. One day, I decided the military might be a good start, and two weeks later, I was raising my right hand. I guess you could say it was the right choice for me, as it has led to my civilian career as a County Veterans Service Officer. My favorite memory in service was my time spent in Poland and Eastern Europe. This is where I made my lifelong friends who are more like family. This is also where I grew into my role in the military, which led to more confidence and resiliency in my civilian life. I aim to serve veterans and change the stereotypes associated with being a Veteran. So many times, people thank my brother for his service (ignoring mine), ask to speak to the CVSO or the gentleman in charge of the Veterans Services to which I respond, “Yes that is me” Slowly I am working towards changing the idea of what a veteran typically is and looks like.
My transition from active duty to a traditional guardsman/civilian life wasn’t easy and wasn’t what I expected. I was on a year and a half of State COVID-19 Orders, directly to a yearlong mobilization. I came home, and it was 2 ½ years later. I felt like no time had passed, but people in my life had moved on to new things like a job, moving, getting married, and having a baby. They were still there, but the life I was used to had changed drastically. I went from living with three other females in a small room on deployment to having a house to myself. I felt isolated and lonely. I also struggled with returning to working with civilians. I sometimes forget how blunt and unforgiving the military environment can be. I had to be mindful of my tone and who I was speaking with. I couldn’t talk to them the way I would my Soldiers. Being in the environment I was in when I came home did make the transition easier. Many people in my family are veterans. Most of my close friends are veterans, and I work closely with the Veteran community.
