How it began: Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and crossing into the U.S. for the umptieth time in 1995, I had many reasons for joining the Marines but three were most notable: the desire to protect my family as war was eminent, eagerness for self-protection as I stopped feeling safe in my hometown and the Marines were implementing a martial arts program and, lastly, I wanted to go to college and help people simultaneously. On July 2003 after deciding not to go to the Naval Academy, I was on the yellow footprints at MCRD Parris Island, SC. This was the first time really leaving home and during a difficult time for my mama and younger brother with my parent’s recent divorce, my grandfather’s passing and having my mother’s words “No crie carne para canon” deep in my mind.

How it went: During my 20 years of service, I moved rapidly through the ranks yet greatly challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically in each one. Meritorious promotions from the rank of Lance Corporal and onto my last promotion to Major were often highlighted and merited to being a “triple-whammy” candidate: a woman of Latin background and an immigrant. Note: The Marine Corps does not do meritorious promotions for officers. This was a one-off in many years and only one since. I kept my eye on becoming an officer and was accepted to the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 2007 despite my chain of command not routing my application the previous year. In 2010, I was commissioned to 2ndLt, attended various schools, and hand-selected to lead the first aviation logistics detachment, a quick-reaction force post-Benghazi attacks. Here, my background proved vital as we deployed to Spain and was the only Spanish-speaking officer, serving as a translator with the embassy and various Spanish organizations needed to establish our operations. Subsequently, I held various roles, from budget manager to director of the V-22 Integrated Weapons System Team and the Deputy Commander - Logistics Squadron at NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force in Sigonella, Sicily. As an officer, despite the many late nights turning to mornings by my team and I to meet a task, the camaraderie and “let’s get this done” attitude was relentless and nothing short of inspiring. I also captured the deep conversations we shared about life, often finding myself asking them “What is your ‘why’”? In all, my mother’s and grandfather’s words of “a que si puedes!” despite not always in the best mental or actual muscular-skeletal shape and drive to ensure my team excelled enabled me to complete my career, look back and say “Wow!! It’s been 20 years already!!?”