Women of the Military

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**Women of the Military**

Women of the Military is a place to share the stories of women veterans. It is through the power of telling our military story that people will begin to learn and understand about our service and inspire young women to consider military service. We cover topics about joining the military, leaving the military, the challenge of being a woman, military sexual trauma, and more.

Latest Episodes:

Pros and Cons of being a Woman in the Military Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

This is the second round-up advice so check out episode 100 to see even more advice from military women.

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Finding Mental Health Services for Veterans Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Thank you to Blue Star Families for supporting the Women of the Military podcast! The Military Family Lifestyle Survey is open until June 6th, 2021. Head over to BlueStarFam.org/survey2021 to take the survey today. You could win one of five $100 gift cards. The stories and information shared become the fuel and information leaders need to help create change that will directly benefit us and our families.

This week I'm interviewing the Steven A Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania's Director Leah Blain, PhD. Dr. Blain earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. There she conducted research in the effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She completed an internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Maryland Healthcare System. There she trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety and panic disorder, and chronic pain, and mindfulness-based interventions. She previously served as Director of Behavioral Health at Chase Brexton Health Care’s Columbia Center. Her clinical work focuses on trauma recovery, working with survivors of assault, abuse, and combat, on issues including depression, guilt and shame, anger, dissociation, and PTSD.

The Cohen Veteran Network believes in evidence-based treatment with the goal of working toward finding healing. The program provides timeline-based care with a comprehensive plan created for the member to meet the needs of the member and to help them in their future.

Access to Care

This episode coved how easy access to care through the Cohen Veteran Network is. We also discussed how being in a crisis stage is not the only reason to reach out for care. Those who are looking for treatment for a variety of reasons should consider reaching out to the Cohen network.

Mental health is a spectrum

Mental health is a spectrum and not a straight line. People might often look at mental health and compare where they are in a linear sort of way. But mental health is anything other than linear and each person needs to find a path that works for them. The Cohen Veteran Network helps to ensure veterans and their families are given the proper support with either a long-term care plan or the opportunity for booster or check-in therapy as needed.

Trauma is not always military related

The last main topic we covered is that some trauma that military members have faced comes from childhood or non-military-related events. Sometimes war or military experiences can cause trauma from people's past to exacerbate the experiences faced in the military. The Cohen Veteran Network does not withhold care from veterans or family members for any reason. They work to help people with whatever trauma they are facing.

Connect with Steven A Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania:

Steven A Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania website

Cohen Veteran Network Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Changing the Conversation about Mental Health

Related episodes:

Mental Health in the Military - Episode 73

Looking at Military Service from a Different Perspective - Episode 125

An Invisible Combat Veterans Story - Episode 90

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Losing a team member while deployed May 25, 2021

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Blue Star Families. The Military Family Lifestyle Survey is open until June 6th, 2021. Head over to BlueStarFam.org/survey2021 to take the survey today. You could win one of five $100 gift cards. The stories and information shared become the fuel and information leaders need to help create change that will directly benefit us and our families.

Stacie's dad saw a flyer about ROTC and that is how she began her military career. She needed a way to pay for college and ROTC gave her that opportunity. She said it was the best decision she ever made. And she made a lot of great friends. She picked the career field of Pubic Affairs because of her degree in Journalism. She started her career by being a Gold Bar recruiter at the Academy. Telling others about the opportunity to join the military through ROTC.

She attended Defense Information School (DINFOS) in Fort Mead, Maryland, and got her first opportunity to learn about the joint environment since all the military branches have their PA training at DINFOS.

Deployment

She deployed multiple times. Serving a year in South Korea, working with NATO in Italy, and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of the interview was focused on her deployment to Afghanistan as part of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). I also deployed as part of a PRT so we talked about the difference between her pre-deployment training and my own.

I did a whole series about what a PRT is and have shared my (email) letters home. You can check out the series here. And read my letters here.

Losing team members

Panjshir was a relatively safe deployment. They could ride around in regular vehicles, but always wore their protective gear and had weapons. But they would need to make trips back to Bagram (the main base in Northern Afghanistan) to gather supplies, mail, and get people out for R&R. On May 26, 2009, four members of her team were killed when in a suicide bomber attacked the convoy. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Stratton, PRT commander, Army Master Sgt. Blue Rowe, PRT first sergeant, Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, PRT vehicle operator, and Abdul Samad, PRT Afghan legal advisor were killed in the attack.

Stacie had worked directly with Ashton both through the Women Affairs missions and helping her to get her work published. She also was the only woman officer on the team and that gave her the responsibility and the honor to pack up her things and send them home to her family. The event has had a major impact on her life and she has started a scholarship in Ashton's name for her high school.

The effects of war

We also coved the PTSD caused not only by the PRT deployment but the other deployments. If you are struggling with any mental health issues or need someone to talk to check out Episode 137 with the Cohen Clinic which talks about resources to help those struggling with mental health challenges.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Girl's Guide to the Military (Free Guide)

Girl's Guide to the Military on YouTube

Related Episodes:

Amanda Huffman, Civil Engineer - Episode 2

When Public Affairs Changed - Episode 67

Civil Engineering in the Air Force - Episode 136

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Serving in the Royal Australian Air Force May 18, 2021

Show notes

Jodi decided to join the military because she had left school and was looking for something new. Her parents encouraged her to join the Defense Force. She did not know anything about the military and just went to the Recruiter and ended up in the Royal Australian Air Force in supply. She went to recruit training and struggled with fitness. Because she was not prepared, she was getting yelled at for walking something flipped that caused her to decide she was going to be the fittest person. She talks about how embarrassed she was and that driver motivated her. She ended training as one of the fittest people in the group.

While at her first assignment her brother was sent for his training. They were able to bond together. They both loved being in the Air Force. And it was nice to be together after moving away from family. She loved being in the Air Force the challenge of a new job with each assignment gave her purpose and drive. She served for 14 years until the military forced her to leave due to a back injury she had sustained early in her career. While training for a deployment she was unable to wear the body armor and could not deploy. She struggled in her transition out of the military because she was not ready to leave.

Transitioning out of the military

Luckily, she was able to find a job when she interviewed with an Army veteran. Shortly after that she started her family and was a stay-at-home mom while her daughters were young. Once they began school she needed something for herself. She decided to go back to college and studied Nutritional Science. She found a community while studying at the University. And also was led to the path she is on today when a friend recommended she come to Mates4Mates. A program for veterans with physical and psychological injuries. She had struggled with identifying as a veteran since she never deployed. But her friend assured her that she would be welcomed.

Mindfulness and a new career

She was able to learn about Yoga and mindfulness. Mindfulness can help veterans with many different issues and can be used in daily life. It is a powerful practice and something more veterans should look into. When her friend moved to the next assignment she took over her role of teaching classes. She dreamed of creating a program that included mindfulness, yoga, and her nutritional expertise. People said it would never happen but today Jodi now works with Mates4Mates and the Department of Veterans Affairs on well-being programs throughout Australia.

Connect with Jodi:

https://www.jodiallennutrition.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Women Veteran United

Mates4Mates

Related episodes:

Finding Healing through Mindful Meditation - Episode 133

Finding Healing through Yoga - Episode 81

Joining the Australian Army - Episode 33

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

From Women's Army Corps to Operation Desert Storm May 11, 2021

Show notes

Penny Lee Deere began her military service in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Her career spans 20 years, from 1975 -1995. It was interesting to hear her experience having begun her service as part of the WAC and then transferring over to the US Army in 1978. She also shared a number of stories of her time during Desert Storm. The interview ended with her sharing about the work she does to give back to Veterans and how it helped her in her healing journey.

Currently, she resides in Albany NY. She credits “the Arts”, as saving her life. She is a multi-media artist, writer, and photographer. You can learn more about her at mindbodysoulbypenny.com.

Add podcast info

From Women's Army Corps to Operation Desert Storm

Penny graduated from a class of thirty-six and was told she was not college material. With the other option of becoming a farmer's wife, she decided to join the military with the plan that if she joined the military she would serve for twenty years. Initially, she looked into the Marine Corps but picked the Army instead. She began her career in the Women's Army Corps and was one of the first women platoons to have a male drill instructor as integration was beginning. In 1978, the Women Army Corps disbanded and she became a member of the US Army.

She spent twelve years of her twenty-year career overseas in Germany and she started her career as a Postmaster and then transferred to become an Army Intel Analyst to help ensure she would get promoted. She ended up getting promoted from her previous job while she was at training to become an Intel Analyst but she was excited about the change in careers.

Desert Storm

She was in Germany when Iraq invaded Kuwait in the summer of 1990 and they began preparing to deploy for Desert Shield. All the paperwork and arrangements were in place. She was a single mom and her children 4 and 7 were set to fly back to the states when she deployed. She ended up leaving for Desert Shield in November and came home in May. One story she told was she remembers getting to talk to her daughter once. Her daughter had seen the announcement on the television that the war was over. And she wanted to know when her mom was coming home. It was a challenge to be separated from her children but she was thankful for her parent's support.

She shared some memories from her deployment as well. She talks about a story of getting lost in the blackout Forward Operating Base and deciding to stop and sleep in the next open tent she found. It happened to be the Dining Facility and the cooks didn't understand why she was there are 4 am. She also talked about an incident in guard duty that almost led to a friendly fire incident.

After the war

The military downsized after Desert Storm and she helped her unit close up the base she was at in Germany and then went to Georgia where her unit had been reassigned. She left the military after twenty years of service in 1995 but did not identify as a veteran. She went to the VA in 2003 to get help for some of the medical/mental issues she was dealing with. And through that slowly became part of the veteran community. She used art to help her find healing and then the VA closed the programs. She went to the local American Legion asking for space to hold an art class. They gave her space and then when they saw she was doing added her program to their chapter.

Giving back through art

She continues to work to help other veterans through Art. With COVID they began working through zoom to share different stories verbally. And this summer Art from her post is going to be displayed at the Women Memorial in DC.

Connect with Penny:

Mindbodysoulbypenny.com

Mentioned in this Episode:

Help Heal Veterans

Related Podcast Episodes:

Advocacy with MOAA

Serving during Desert Storm - Episode 57

The Challenges Faced by Single Moms - Episode 46

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Want early access to episodes, ad-free content, and one on one mentorship advice? Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Finding Healing through Meditation May 04, 2021

Show notes

Thank you to Gracefully Global Group for sponsoring this week's episode of Women of the Military Podcast

Want to inspire your community with a unique presentation by a woman veteran speaker and author? Air Force veteran Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, Founder of Gracefully Global Group, an educational publishing firm creatively serving communities. Graciela serves audiences in Spanish and English at teacher conferences, schools, and libraries. Bringing the award-winning, bilingual Captain Mama children’s books, and her aviation service story, to life. Next, Graciela leads AUTHENTIC Personal Branding workshops, helping transitioning service members, spouses, and vets in career transition to CREATE targeted brands. Use BRAND Before Your Resume – as a marketing guidebook. Lastly, corporate Speaker Sponsors make inspirational keynote addresses at their events possible. Surprising attendees with logo-sponsored copies of our books. We’re in the business of inspiration! Call area code (510) 542-9449 to inquire about bringing Graciela to YOUR next event. Learn more here.

The last two weeks of boot camp for Debra were after September 11th. And while she expected the military to be a way for her to pay for college when September 11th happened she felt that she had found her purpose. She completed tech school and went back home to go to school, work, and serve in the National Guard.

In 2003, she was activated to active duty to work at Robins Air Force Base. She enjoyed her time at Robins but struggled to hold her tongue having had leadership experience managing a Mcdonald's and being the rank of E-4 not being able to provide feedback that she wanted to.

From almost done to deploying

She went back home and continued her time in the National Guard and was about to transition out of the Guard when she was tasked with a deployment. Being a military brat, she was able to pick herself up and accept the military changing her life plans. And she headed off to training and then war.

Her deployment was going well. She found comradery and got to work with a lot of people, but in May 2009 she was raped and shut down. The Army knew something was wrong because she stopped talking and eating and they tried to figure out what was happening.

They decided to send her to Bagdad and she began to get help, but a soldier came in and killed her psychiatrist and four other members and she was hidden in her room hoping she wouldn’t die. These two incidents happened within a week of each other and her body couldn’t cope.

The Army can't help

The Army struggled to help her and eventually, she was separated from the military with PTSD. She was using destructive coping methods (parting and drinking) and was spiraling, but then she found out she was pregnant. When she found out she was pregnant she stopped drinking and began to find healing through the love she had for her child.

Finding healing through meditation

A few years later she felt her life was spiraling and started to get help through counseling. One of the recommendations was to start a daily meditation practice. And through that journey, she found healing and now wants to pass on the healing she has found through meditation through her nonprofit, Enlightened Veterans. They are having their first all-women four-day retreat in Denver in May Add dates and link. You can learn more about it here.

Connect with Debra:

www.enlightenedveterans.org

www.facebook.com/enlightenedveterans

Mentioned in this episode:

Ten Percent

Related Episodes:

Looking at Military Transition from a Different Perspective - Episode 125

Flawed but still worthy - Episode 116

A Military Sexual Trauma Survivors Story – Episode 26

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Want early access to episodes, ad-free content, and one on one mentorship advice? Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Understanding Female Veterans Statistics with Kate Hendricks Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

This episode was sponsored by Gracefully Global Group:

Do you LOVE audiobooks? Wish they were available for children’s picture books? Well, you’re going to LOVE this! At woman-veteran-owned educational publishing firm Gracefully Global Group, we’ve created an innovative VIDEO audiobook of Captain Mama's Surprise, book 2 in the award-winning Captain Mama series. Read by author Graciela Tiscanero-Sato, with cool sound effects! As little Marco and classmates tour the flying gas station where his Captain Mama works, you'll see all of Linda Lens' illustrations. The award-winning series was inspired by Graciela'ss decade of aviation service. Have the book at home? Your child can follow along as I read! Buy the video audiobook for only $7.07 today. Click here. There you’ll find books and companion patches too!

The Marine Corps was in Kate's blood. As a Marine Corps brat, she decided to join the military and originally picked the Air Force. But after a year as part of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program she wanted to switch to the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps felt like home. So she switched from AF ROTC to Marine Corps ROTC which is run under the Navy ROTC program.

When she picked her career field she knew she wanted to help people so she picked Military Police or Public Affairs. She was excited when she was selected for military police. But found the work challenging because she found herself helping people on their worst day or in some really hard circumstances. She decided not to continue to serve in the military but before leaving she deployed to Iraq. She loved her job overseas in Iraq. There she found a sense of purpose and felt she was contributing to the mission of the military. She also made really good friends.

A change in direction

When she came home from her deployment her brother had been injured in Iraq and she spent most of her 30 days of post-deployment leave with him at the hospital. It began a spark to led her to where she is today. She also decided to serve another tour of service.

When she left the military originally she began working at a fitness center but found the job more focused on meeting quotas and the people who could afford the help of one on one coaching didn't really need this. This led her on a path of holistic medicine and healing. She began a career in health science. She eventually received her Ph.D. And today she studies evidence-based mental physical and peak performance. She has put her work in her books. Her latest book is called Stopping Military Veteran Suicides and is told through stories and research.

Female Veterans Statistics

She is also currently working with the University of Alabama and other women veterans and women veterans advocates for a study on accessing the needs of US women who have served in the Armed Forces. Over 3,000 women veterans have taken the survey so far. If you would like to provide your thoughts click here.

There is already evidence for higher cancer rates in women for breast cancer and reproduction. So it is important to take care of your health and begin regular health screenings even earlier than recommended. Kate's doctor recommended a mammogram when she was 38 and is now fighting stage four cancer. She said that doctor added years to her life and encourages women to take their health seriously.

Connect with Kate:

www.DocKate.com

@thedrkate

Mentioned in this episode:

Women veteran study

Books (affiliate links):

Stopping Military Suicides

Brave Strong True

Related episodes:

Looking at Military Transition from a Different Perspective - Episode 125

An Invisible Combat Veteran's Story - Episode 90

The Pressure to Proove Yourself in the Marines - Episode 94

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Want early access to episodes, ad-free content, and one on one mentorship advice? Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Becoming a JAG Corps Officer Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Becoming a JAG Corps Officer

Aniela's time in the military-led her to do a number of things she would have never done on the civilian side. She first began her career in Barstow, California. As the only JAG at the base, she gave advice to the leadership on various cases. Military JAG officers also have the opportunity to be on various trials early in their careers. She believes being JAG Corps Officer can open many doors to your future. Her next assignment took her to Quantico. There she managed the Marines across the world and had the opportunity to travel. Her favorite location to visit was Thailand.

Transitioning to the Reserves

As she approached the ten-year point in the military she decided she wanted to continue her service through the years but also focus on her career as a civilian lawyer. The only problem is she didn't know what she wanted to do. Luckily, she had worked to help her dad as he worked through the VA claims process and was able to find a career helping veterans. This career opportunity led to the work she continues to do today.

Deploying to Afghanistan

When she transferred to the Reserves she also switched careers from JAG Corps officer to Civil Affairs. She began to work as a Civil Affairs Officer. The Reserve office needed Civil Affairs Officers for an upcoming deployment and they trained her for the career field and the deployment. She went to Afghanistan in 2011. She led a Civil Affairs team at the Company level. It was before women were formally allowed to serve in combat. And at first, the leadership worried if she would fit the role. But her team excelled. And she believes her personality led to a positive and the Afghans seeing the Marines in a more positive light. She also was able to collaborate with the Female Engagement Teams.

The flexibility of the Reserves

Aniela continues to serve in the Reserves today. The Reserves gives military members the flexibility to continue serving in the military without having to make all the sacrifices required with active duty. It is an especially great career for new moms. Moms who desire to be a homemaker, with a part-time career. Reservists also have the option to serve on active duty again if they desire later on in their career.

Connect with Aniela:

Twitter @akszymanski

https://www.linkedin.com/in/akszymanski/

Mentioned in this episode:

Military Officers Association of America

Veteran Affairs

Related Episodes:

Advocacy with MOAA

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Want early access to episodes, ad-free content, and one on one mentorship advice? Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series

Boss Lady Bio Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

Jen decided to attend the Academy after going to a few seminars with her friend who was interested in attending. Her friend didn't end up applying for the Academy but Jen saw it as her ticket out of her small town. And out of Montana. The Academy was tough but Jen learned a lot from those experiences and made great friends. She became a Maintenance officer and loved being able to work with people.

Active duty to Reserves to IMA

She decided to transition from active duty to Reserves at the end of her five-year commitment. She and her husband were ready to start a family and she knew that it would be challenging to have a family with both of them working active duty. It was still complicated being a reservist, mom, and military spouse. Especially when her husband deployed and she was given a deployment as well. It was hard to leave her son with her parents but in hindsight, it was the best choice for her.

She finished her last twelve years in the Reserves as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) because she only had to meet the requirement of 24 days of service per year. This was what worked best for her family. She retired from the Air Force last year.

Stay at Home Mom to Entrepreneur

After being a stay-at-home mom for three years she started looking for a job, but did not want to work full time and instead started her own business where she could have the flexibility to work her own hours and take her kids with her as needed. Her parents were entrepreneurs and she learned a lot from watching their business go through various stages. She first was an interior designer, but sold that business and began working with Rodan and Fields when they first began. Today she is a team lead for 9,000 ladies and loves helping empower women.

Through her work at Rodan and Fields, she wanted to find a way to give back to support the military spouse community that has an unemployment or under-employment rate of 90%. She wrote Mission Entrepreneur and used the skills she learned from military life and how she translated them to business. Once the book was complete she felt that she needed to provide resources to help women in their own entrepreneurial journey. And she created Mission Entrepreneur.

Boss Lady Bio

The newest product being launched by Mission Entrepreneur is the Boss Lady Bio. This tool can help all women business owners or not have a place to create a beautiful looking bio highlight them or their business/service. There is a free option so everyone can have a bio created. And to make it more personalized with different themes and added features you can pay $11.99/month. If you use the code Airmantomom when you sign up you will get your first month for $1! You can check out my own Boss Lady Bio here.

Connect with Jen:

Website

Jen's Boss Lady Bio

Instagram

Mentioned in this Episode:

New Women Hair Standards

Mission Entrepreneur book

Mission Entrepreneur website

Boss Lady Bio Use Code: AMANDAHUFFMAN to get your first month for $1 (valid until May 12, 2021)

Check out the full transcript here.

Thank you to my Patreon Sponsor Col Level and above:
Kevin Barba, Adriana Keefe, Lorraine Diaz

Thank you Patreon members for your support. Want early access to episodes, ad-free content, and one on one mentorship advice? Become a Patreon member today! Click here.

Resources:

Women of the Military Mentorship Program

Girl's Guide to Military Service available where books are sold.

Signed copies of A Girl's Guide to Military Service

Girl's Guide to the Military Series