Then began my journey of firsts. I was a first-generation college student who was attending a private Baptist college and quickly realized that I was not able to afford the costs without student loan debt. During my sophomore year, I enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and transferred to a public college.

Another first. The first female in my family to join the Military. Growing up I do not remember seeing any women in uniform let alone a Latina. I was a lot of the time the only Latina on my sports teams or in class. I did not have a mentor to call or an example to look up to. I remember feeling alone and like everyone had everything figured out. I was embarrassed to admit that I did not know what FAFSA was or how to properly tie my long hair in a bun. I figured it out and now I seek every opportunity to share the knowledge I have gained with my soldiers.

When I feel discouraged, I remember my why. I do this for those who gave up on their dreams because they did not have an example. I do this for those who were told they couldn’t/wouldn’t or shouldn’t. I do this for my mom who never said no we cannot afford to put you in sports but instead stayed after practices to clean or work extra hours so that I could have the opportunity to follow my dreams. I do this for my father who came to America to give his future family a better life. My family taught me that it won't always be easy but to just keep going and find a way. I do this to show others if someone like me can do it and so can you.

I am proud of myself because I have become the person, I wish I had. I strive to never make someone feel the way I did leaving that counselor's office. If I can inspire even ONE person all of this is worth it. I ask myself who would I be if I had listened to the people who told me I would never graduate or wasn’t cut out for the army. I have never been the one to make excuses for why I couldn’t accomplish something I simply pivot and execute. Thanks to that I am now a Military Intelligence officer in graduate school.