Blogs for your consideration...

Before I had my first child, I had never seen a woman nurse her baby in real life. Never. I was a product of the 80’s, when formula was the norm and breastfeeding was something just in the background. Breastfeeding a baby just wasn’t something I was exposed to, had any interest in, or knowledge abou...

The standards of the military are high and, sometimes, mysterious. If you’re not within a certain weight, you can’t join. If you don’t score high enough on the ASVAB, you have limited jobs to choose from. The military ultimately tells you where to go. Both leaders and faceless entities decide if you...

At times in my career, I felt like my pay was lower than what I wanted, but at least I could easily look at the military pay chart and project as to when a step increase was to be expected. It gave me something to look forward to. If I could work through a temporary frustration point or wait out a l...

People join the military for a variety of reasons. The military is full of opportunities and benefits, from free healthcare for those on active duty to traveling around the world. The military is rich in heritage and duty. Some people feel compelled to serve because there is a legacy of volunteerism...

Over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of questions pertaining to my military career. From “Have you ever killed anyone?” to “Where have you been stationed?” and everything in between. I even had a friend ask me vehemently why I would join the Army over the Air Force when I graduated high school (it’...

As a medical-type person (for clarification, I was a medical administrator), being certified in CPR came with the territory. Every two years, I’d be at my mandatory refresher training. People in the class varied in skill level and experience, from dentists to public health technicians to emergency r...

I have never received a formal “bonus” of any kind. I have watched soldiers and airmen piece together the first decade of their careers, one year at a time, with the hope of scoring $3,000-$5,000 bonuses for a three-to-five-year commitment. I have watched some physicians and intensive care nurses ea...

Take 1:

I know exactly why I joined the military – to kick down doors and take names, but I knew I wouldn’t stay in for long… or so I thought. From a young age and a critical childhood illness, I knew my future belonged in medicine. My time in the military would merely be a selfless detour on the p...

I love to plan. I always have. When I was in middle school, I was planning what classes I might want to take in high school. When I was in high school, I not only dreamt of my potential future aspirations, but I backwards planned what college courses and tasks I’d need to complete to meet the requir...

I thought entering one’s forties was a big deal, but I think the Army has got me beat this year. Turning 250 years old is something that should invoke a great deal of reflection, appreciation, and honor. As time progresses forward, the ability to remain useful and relevant seems to peter out as fast...