From Civilian to Solider

 I can vividly recall the look the receptionist’s face when I walked into the Army Reserve recruiting station. The receptionist thought I was there to pick up one of the young men. It never crossed her mind that the young woman standing before her in heels and lip gloss, would be there to enlist in the military, but that was what I was there to do.  Initially my recruiter was just shocked, but as he got to know me he felt that I would make an excellent solider. My scores qualified me for the best jobs and with my degree I could be an officer. The next day I returned knowing that I wanted to be a civil affairs specialist- yes a specialist- I did not want to be an officer, not just yet. He was stunned because an officer made more money but my explanation of wanting to experience the military as an enlisted solider so that I can see what makes a great leader put him at ease with my decision. As much as I thought I was ready for the military life, I also knew that I wanted to be a great leader when the time came, but I needed to follow and learn first. 3 weeks later I was off to Fort Jackson for Basic Training. It was here that I realize that I had much more physical strength than I had imagined and that my attitude, my mental strength was second to none.  My family and friends flooded me with letters since we had no internet or mobile phones. While most of my battles were growing weary of the distance between them and their families, I was growing more comfortable day by day and knew that this was where I was supposed to be. After 8 weeks I moved on to Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. We earned our cellular phones back over time and it really was a battle of the brains with tests that pushed our mental and physical beings.  I graduated with a 98% average and earned my title as a civil affairs specialist and was assigned to the 478^th CA Battalion in Perrine, FL. 

I was back in the civilian world ready to pursue my Masters degree and excited to have moved into my 1st apartment when I learned that I had 2 weeks before I started training for a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan. Words can not describe what I felt in that moment. In a daze I called my loved ones and informed them of the journey I was about to embark on. In a flash I was tears and a few minutes later I was proud because it was my turn to go out there and do something great.  The first few weeks of training I had so many mixed emotions. Finally I prayed. I asked God to give me the courage and strength not only to return home safely with my comrades, but also to complete my mission honorably and successfully. It was after I finished that prayer that I was ready. I was calm and knew that God would never put be through anything he wouldn’t see me through. And it is with that faith that I embraced the journey to Afghanistan.  The experience in getting prepared for Afghanistan required me to be fit, physically, mentally and spiritually and it was a true test of faith, strength and courage. I am elated to say that I passed! =)