How Do We Serve After the Military

I wasn’t ready to retire. I loved being in the Air Force, even though I saw my share of

trials and tribulations. Looking back, I would compare military service to a bad

relationship. You find reasons to stay in it. Despite the damage it causes to your mental

and physical health, you know it won’t last forever.

Please don’t misunderstand! I’m incredibly proud to say “I am a Veteran. I served my

country. I followed in my family’s footsteps.” If we’re being honest, I’m just saying it

takes a toll on your mental and physical health. Despite those key markers of a toxic

relationship, we may not notice the good, the bad, and the ugly, while we are still in.

After all, when you’re on a roller coaster, do you get to see what the entire ride looks like

while you’re on the train, going 70 miles per hour? Usually not. It’s only when you step

off, dizzy, smiling, and adrenaline dissipating, that you can look back at the whole

picture and say “Wow! What a ride!”

That’s how I felt when I got out of the Air Force. Wow, what a ride. The party was lit, the

cake was exquisite, and the alcohol was abundant! But after the party, when everyone

went home, and I sat alone in my home doom-scrolling, I had to ask myself the hard

question: What’s my purpose now?

We become so accustomed to being told where to live, where to work, what to do, even

what extracurricular organizations we should support! When we get out of the military,

there’s no pressure to do any of that. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying all at once! I

struggled with my mental health. I took a job that wasn’t right for me and quit during the

training period. I went back to school and started helping in the community as a

substitute teacher. I had no luck joining veteran groups in the area. Everyone looked at

me like I had two heads when I said I was a veteran. It was only online that I could find

some of the two million sisters that we have across the country. I joined Facebook

groups with Woman Veterans and immediately felt refreshed. I felt like I was finally

among “my people.”

Women Veterans are built differently! We faced adversity in the military. We were

constantly doubted and dismissed just because we chose to pursue a career in a male-

dominated field. And we didn’t let that stop us. We climbed, we fought, and we soared.

We exceeded people’s expectations, sometimes even our own! And we showed the

military and the world that women can serve too. That’s a special kind of sorority that

many people may never understand! But we understand each other. More importantly,

we support each other.

I found refuge in these online groups, and I didn’t recognize it at the time, but my heart

wanted to serve again. I just needed a vector.

One day, in a Facebook Group, a military sister said “I wish we all lived closer and we

could do a photoshoot together.” That’s when the idea struck me.

“What if…” I commented, “We made a military women CALENDAR?” Many ladies in the

group agreed and I got to work! I set up a website, began recruiting models, started a

Facebook group exclusively for calendar business and ideas, and invited all my women

veteran friends to join.

Our calendar is now in its third year of production. It’s a 501c3 Nonprofit that gives back

to the Woman Veteran community. To date, we have raised $4,000 dollars for other

nonprofits serving Women Veterans, and our Facebook Group has nearly three

thousand members!

This calendar gives me the same feeling of purpose that I had in the military. I’m helping

a community, serving something bigger than myself. The joy and satisfaction I get,

knowing that we’re empowering Women Veterans, makes my heart full and my soul

happy. This is how I serve, after the military.

For more information about the Woman Veteran Calendar, visit

https://www.womanveterancalendar.com/