Top Five Instagram We Love

Instagram has been around for more than a decade but recently more and more military members and veterans have been using the app to share photos, videos and stories to inspire others and gain a following.

They are sharing parts of their lives that you wouldn’t normally see and attracting fans from around the world.

Some of those women are emerging as ‘influencers’ by showing their daily routines and what life is like in the military or on a deployment.

Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. In April 2012, Facebook acquired the service for approximately $1 billion in cash and stock.

Finding the right balance of inspiration and lifestyle trends without getting too political or overbearing is what attracts new followers and keeps people engaged and anxious to see what will be shared next.

Some people are ditching Facebook and just using Instagram to funnel their fans to this social media platform.

I’ ve come across several women on active duty and female veterans whose accounts are worth sharing because they consistently showcase their military service in a positive and inspiring manner. They ’ re always honest and uplifting without being demeaning or detrimental to others.

Kellie Hall

Hall is an active-duty U.S. Naval officer who graduated from the Naval Academy, competed in beauty pageants and hosts a popular podcast called ‘Missunderstood. ’ She shares stories about her journey in the Navy, developing confidence and promoting a healthy lifestyle. She has more than 28,000 followers.

Tia McMillen

McMillen is a U.S. Navy Reserve Public Affairs Officer who also operates a resume writing business that helps people land jobs within the federal government. She’s also always sharing delicious meal recipes, lessons about family traditions and her cutie dog named Clover.

Margarita Chmykhalova

Chmykhalova is a U.S. Army Reserve critical care nurse and shares beautiful and inspirational content about her current deployment to Central America and outdoor activities. She’s passionate about preventing sexual assault in the military and shares stories about her travels and life of serving others.

Kristie Ennis

Ennis served as a U.S. Marine and CH-53D helicopter door gunner and was wounded in action in Afghanistan in 2012. Since establishing the Kirstie Ennis Foundation in 2018, Ennis has issued over $70,000 in grants for nonprofits benefiting veterans, women, and the disabled population.

The foundation also runs outdoor clinics that help to expose underserved populations and minority groups to outdoor sports. She has the largest following with more than 144,000 followers and shares stories about her recovering from being wounded in combat, her outdoor adventures (climbing Mount Everest) and reflections about a life of service. Ward is a retired sergeant major who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 20 years. She helps entrepreneurs learn the skill of professional speaking for the purpose of enhancing their brand awareness and increasing profits.

She posts content that empowers and encourages people to make meaningful changes in their lives. She has more than 13,000 followers.

Tomina Ward

Ward is a retired sergeant major who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 20 years. She helps entrepreneurs learn the skill of professional speaking for the purpose of enhancing their brand awareness and increasing profits.

She posts content that empowers and encourages people to make meaningful changes in their lives. She has more than 13,000 followers.

Amy Forsythe served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Combat Correspondent and currently serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Public Affairs Officer. You can follow her on Instagram at @amyforsythe760.