While many things have occurred in my life that have changed how I think, feel and survive, nothing has had the immediate, easy-to-perceive effect on me as working at the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas for only two days. At the time, I was sure it was the best thing I [...]

After I had made the decision to enlist with the US Army, the next step was to attend Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, S.C. None of the experiences in my life prepared me for the vaporization of personal space and dignity that BCT and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) brings to the table.
I’ve always [...]

Realistically speaking, right about now I should be combing gel through my crimped hair and drawing on my eyebrows while two babies scream in the next room, and an equally loud man cranks up the wrestling on TV to block it out. Fortunately (and unfortunately, depending on the day), I was gifted with some degree [...]