Page 19 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2025 - Online Magazine

air FOrCe | 2010–2020

But soon, another decision loomed. My kids were 5, 4,
and 2. I had to choose: continue serving in uniform, or
be the mother they needed. After ten years of service, I
hung up my uniform in November 2020. It was one of the
hardest decisions I’ve ever made.
The transition to civilian life hit me like a freight train. My
identity had been so deeply rooted in military service that
I didn’t know who I was without it. I had my children,
2024—Celebrating the VFW’s 125 years of service and that was a mission I embraced with everything
at the VFW National Legislative Conference in in me—but still, something was missing. I struggled
Washington D.C.
mentally and emotionally. I felt lost.

After tech school, I was stationed at Robins Air Force Luckily, I had joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in
Base in Georgia and assigned to the E-8C JSTARS Perry, Georgia while still on active duty. That Post became
aircraft. I learned the art of battlefield management, my lifeline. No matter our branch or background, we
surveillance, and reconnaissance. I qualified quickly had one thing in common: we were still serving. I found
as an Airborne Mission Systems Operator and went purpose again through helping other veterans.
on to become a Senior Director Technician. I loved the In 2022, my family and I made the difficult decision to
job—supporting our troops on the ground, analyzing move back to my hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Leaving
intelligence, looking for threats. Every flight meant my Perry VFW family was hard, but I knew I needed to be
keeping people safe. I gave the mission everything I had closer to my dad and one of my brothers. I lost my mom
and eventually became an instructor and evaluator. I to cancer in 2015, and I still carry the guilt of not being
loved teaching the next generation how to do the job—and there during her hardest battle. I didn’t want to carry that
how to do it well. weight again.
But I’m not one to sit still for long. I set my sights on Coming home wasn’t easy. I had changed. I came back
something that seemed out of reach—the Marine Corps’ covered in tattoos and a little rough around the edges.
elite Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Yuma, Many of my old friends had chosen different paths, and I
Arizona. At the time, no enlisted Airmen from my field didn’t fit the mold anymore. Once again, the VFW came
had ever completed the course. I knew the odds were to my rescue. I joined the Lubbock Post and dove in
stacked against me, but I applied in 2017 anyway. I wasn’t headfirst. Surrounded by men and women with servant
selected, but shortly after, I found out I was expecting my hearts, I found healing, purpose, and family. I eventually
second child. It was God’s way of reminding me that His became Post Commander, then District Commander,
timing is perfect. and proudly served as the Department of Texas Women

I applied again the following year, going up against four Veterans Chair for 2024–2025.
officers. I doubted I’d be chosen— but to my shock, I was Today, I serve in a new way—as the first Director of the
selected and backed by leadership. Two weeks into the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery. It’s sacred work,
eight-week course, I found out I was pregnant again— supporting families through some of the hardest days of
this time with my third child. I was 10 weeks along and their lives and ensuring their loved ones are laid to rest
terrified that if anyone found out, I’d be sent home and with honor and dignity. To be entrusted with such a role
ruin the chance for any enlisted Airmen to follow in my is humbling and deeply meaningful.
footsteps. So, I kept it to myself and pushed through the
intense physical and mental challenges. I hid my growing People often ask me what keeps me going. I think the
belly, prayed for strength, and by the grace of God, answer is simple. I was put on this earth to serve—my
graduated as the first enlisted USAF Weapons and Tactics family, my community, my fellow veterans, and my
Instructor for the MAWTS-1 C3 division. brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether in uniform or not,
that mission hasn’t changed.
Coming home, I had to tell my commander the truth. She
wasn’t thrilled, but she was proud. And I was proud to I’m still serving—because that’s what I was born to do.
have made history—quietly, fiercely, and with purpose.

Lubbock Senior Link 19