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July 2018
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WomenWhoServed Magazine
"A Magazine Specifically for Women Veterans..."
Kayla R. Robertson Army Veteran
At only 30 years old, I’m now a Dispatch Supervisor for the Western United States. I wanted to be an independent, selfsufficient woman taking care of my daughter without any help. I needed to be someone she can look up to- my preparation and training in the military is why I’m here today.
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2018 Issues
Editor-in-Chief Christie Speights
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Note from the Editor: Sharing one of my MANY Favorite quotes... " If you change nothing, nothing Changes" -Joyce Brothers
What are you Changing?? xo, Christie
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Our Mission: Is Simply to Highlight, Celebrate & Honor ALL Women Veterans. In you are interested in being a Contributor/Writer for the WomenWhoServed Magazine Finances | Health | Beauty | Nutrition | Fashion | Transition | MST/PTSD & More
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2018 Issues
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Inside:
Featured Women Veterans
On the Cover www.WomenVeteransMagazine.org
Women Gulf War Veterans: Book Anthology
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Army Veteran Kelly Meade
I am an army veteran who served from 1985-1989. I left the military and have had a career in debt collection for 28 years.
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Army Veteran Dajon Ferrell
Dajon Ferrell is a Empowerment Coach and speaker with a passion for helping people live their best lives in this moment. Her journey started during her 13-year military career where she experienced struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, due to military sexual trauma. After ingesting a cocktail of medication from the VA, Dajon knew there had to be a better way, so she worked toward navigated a path of choosing meditation over medication using holistic healing modalities. Dajon began a journey of teaching other veterans and soon working with fellow soul-centered entrepreneurs, after finding a common thread of determined souls committed to service. As a unicorn ninja, Dajon combines her skills as a spiritual teacher with her military training to help her clients excavate and cultivate the wholeness and value that is always found within. There's alchemy and transformation in our pain and Dajon can help you find the gold in your life's lead. Dajon has taught for the Department of Veteran Affairs, while also speaking at conferences for entrepreneurs and veterans. Her voice has also been featured on the Huffington Post, along with being a published author in the ‘Invisible Thread’ and '365 Days of Angel Prayers.'
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Army Veteran Tina May I joined the Army in 1975 and retired in 1996. I taught high school ARMY JROTC from 1996-2017. My basic training was at Ft McClellan, AL. My assignments were Ft Riley, KS, Ft Wainwright, AK, Ft Ord, CA, North Point, Germany, Ft Huachuca, AT, Schofield Barracks, HI and New Orleans Recruiting BN, New Orleans, LA.
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Army Veteran Kayla R. Robertson Military Bio | Interview on Transition
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Army Veteran Kayla R. Robertson Military Bio
I joined the united states Army Jan 8 2008, my job was 92Y (Unit Supply Specialist.) I’ll never forget the day I raised my hand knowing I was more than likely going to deploy. I was filled with so many mixed emotions- did I make the right choice? Am I going to make it? Am I strong enough? Looking at that moment now, I realize that I was full of doubts within myself. When I started basic training, I can vaguely remember calling my mom within the first 48 hours (crying.) But, I never once stated during that phone call that I was going to give up. I was just in fear; I knew in that moment that the girl I used to be was going to forever gone. During basic training I was pushed mentally, physically, and molded into a strong resilient woman. I was determined to push my doubts out of my mind and defeat the fears that I had inside of me. Basic training was much than graduating, it was defeating my weak mindset that I had before joining. I conquered my goal, I graduated basic and the girl I was before was no longer. I felt empowered and motivated for the new road stretched out in front of me. I felt like I was just born into a new life- little did I know... I truly was. My duty station was located at Ft. Stewart Ga- I was assigned to Alpha Company 26TH BSB 3RD Infantry Division. My drill SGT told me to prepare because 3rd infantry division will deploy. Sure enough, after about 7 months I was going through deployment training in preparation for my deployment to Mosul Iraq. During my training I faced many obstacles but I was touched by soldiers around me every day that I grew such a strong bond with. When you have a bond with a soldier it’s not the same as a friend, it’s not the same as a family member… it’s something much much more. www.WomenVeteransMagazine.org
The people standing next to you in training are going to be going to war with you; I found myself full of emotions that I never felt before-emotions that I still can’t even explain. I’m and will forever be blessed for those that I served with to my left and to my right. My deployment has been the most tremendous impact in my life. During my deployment I learned to have such a profound appreciation for life. I learned that I was thankful for grass, trees, water, homes, electricity the little things that I never even noticed before. I pushed to my absolute best me that I could be. I became organized and career driven that nothing could stand in my way of moving up. I carry that with me today- there is nothing that I can’t get through. There is no struggle in my life that will ever make me feel like I’m never going to be able to conquer that struggle. My deployment is what triggered that mindset. I’m strong, because of the time served. If I wouldn’t have joined the military I wouldn’t be where I’m today. I would still be that scared girl who never challenged herself, who never spoke the words she was feeling for the fear of failure. The most important lesson that I’ve learned is that there will be failures. You will be knocked down, you will face struggles but, you can get through it. Your struggles are what make you strong. Life is such a beautiful fleeting moment. I owe my appreciation and who I’m to the Army. There is one person who significantly impacted me during my deployment that I don’t speak about very often. During one of my gate guard duties overseas – I was speaking to an Iraqi soldier (an interpreter.) I asked him why he joined. He looked at me and he told me something I will keep with me for the rest of my life.
The interpreter said “I came home from the market and I walked into my home and my mom, dad, and 3 younger sisters were murdered.” I wasn’t there to help them so I joined the Iraqi military to save 5000 dollars and go to the United States. He was an inspiration to me. You may hear similar stores like this on your Podcast or while watching Goal cast but, to actually be looking into the eyes of someone who has faced such a horrific event and to not let it destroy who he was; was not understandable for me. He wasn’t depressed he wasn’t living in the past he was the kindest man I’ve met. He offered me coffee every day, he never had anything but a smile on his face. He was happy to be alive and he was driven to meet his goal for a better life. You would have never known that he ever faced a struggle a day in his life. Whenever I’m faced with an obstacle I think of him. I think of all my training, my strength, my motivation, my drive, my love for who I am. I owe everything to the United States Army. I was taken apart and put back together again as my best self.
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Transition Interview
Army Veteran Kayla R. Robertson WWS Magazine:How long did you serve and when did you exit the service? KRR: I was active duty from Jan 2008-June 2011 Reserve from 2011-2013 WWS Magazine: What made you decide to exit the military? KRR: I was eager to start my life long career. I joined the company I currently work for in Dec of 2013. Since I began working for this company I’ve been promoted 5 times in the last 4 and a half years. I’m now a Dispatch Supervisor for the Western United States. My dedication and motivation that I picked up in the military is what has continued my motivation in my journey. I owe my work ethic to the military- I’m very resilient in reaching my goal and when I get to my goal, I look towards a higher goal. WWS Magazine: Were you prepared? What did you do to prepare? I thought I was prepared in the beginning but I wasn’t. I didn’t know how to cope with not seeing my friends anymore. The soldiers I deployed with and went through life altering obstacles with were no longer a part of my day to day life. I found it and still find it hard to connect with people because their understanding of life is just so different than what I have. I also struggled to figure out where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. Sure, I had an idea of what I wanted to do but, going on interviews searching for your new career “home” is a completely different story. I found my new home in Dec. of 2013 I applied for a global elevator company ( I thought to myself “how am I going to fit into the elevator world?.” I honestly didn’t even think I’d get a call back but I did! Just like the military, I started at the bottom and I worked my way up- I’m still moving up. At only 30 years old, I’m now a Dispatch Supervisor for the Western United States.
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Army Veteran
Kayla R. Robertson
I wanted to be an independent, self-sufficient woman taking care of my daughter without any help. I needed to be someone she can look up to- my preparation and training in the military is why I’m here today. WWS Magazine: Do you feel the Military provided enough training and preparation for your transitioning out of the Military into the civilian world? KRR: Absolutely! The military taught me how to defeat my struggles. The military taught me work ethic to never give up and when I’m denied from a position that I’m interested to get growing and learning and reapplying once I get more training or grow stronger in the areas I’m weak in. There is no, “no” for me- I find that as a challenge in the career world. The military taught me to continue pushing myself to not get stuck in a negative mindset and If I do it’s not for long; I’m able to pull myself out of that and go back to my positive space (always smile!) WWS Magazine: What are 2-3 challenges you faced during transitioning? (If any) KRR: Losing my battle buddies Finding my home in the career world Connecting with people outside of the military WWS Magazine: What do you do now? KRR: Dispatch Supervisor for the western united states for a global elevator company WWS Magazine: Share tips and or a bit encourage (advice) for fellow Women Veterans who are currently transitioning, will be or have recently. KRR: NEVER STOP PUSHING YOURSELF! You will fail You will be denied You will be told no Take the motivation and the unstoppable mindset you learned in the military and apply It to your career. Once you do that, once you change your mindset to a learning/growing mindset you will be successful!
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Navy Veteran Anndi Knight
After serving 10 years in the United States Navy, as a Second Class Petty Officer, I chose to leave the military to raise my children. I then entered the work force by working for a garage door company in the Cincinnati area. I learned the business from answering phones and scheduling service/sales calls to assisting installers. I then was hired by the largest garage door manufacturer doing inside sales, then managing a distribution center and installation crew. I was promoted to Customer Service Supervisor and relocated to our corporate office. I worked two jobs and was attending school full time to try and obtain my bachelors degree. Not an easy task when raising 4 kids and a husband just starting his own company with little to no income. In 2010 i was promoted again to run our National accounts service program before becoming a Senior Project Manager where I would seek, bid, win, coordinate installation, and serve very large global customers. In 2016 I became a District Dales Manager and represent Overhead Door Corporation proudly as the only female district Sales Manager in the United States. Duty stations: orlando fl (boot camp ), meridian ms, patuxent river, md, Columbus OH, Virginia beach va, guantanamo bay cuba. Rate/rank: AZ2(AW). Aviation Maintenance
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Army Veteran Billiekai Boughton
Billiekai Boughton is honored to be the 2018 San Diego Veteran of Influence, the 2014 Veteran of the Year for California District 79, and UC San Diego’s 2013 & 2010 Veteran of the Year. She is the Founder of the San Diego Women Veterans Network, passionately serves as the Co-Chair of the California Women Veterans Leadership Council, Board Member of the San Diego Veterans Coalition, and as a member of the Manor Board for the Downtown San Diego Lion’s Club. Billiekai is a US Army Desert Storm Veteran. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis in 16th Century Literature and Contemporary Poetry from the University of California, Berkeley and earned her business Master’s degree from the University of San Diego in Executive Leadership. Billiekai is a Military Student and Women Veteran subject matter expert and in addition to all of her nonprofit advocacy for veterans, she also volunteers teaching poetry writing workshops and is one of the veteran section editors of the San Diego Poetry Annual.
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Air ForceVeteran Natasha Scott-Knight
Served in the USAF for 12 years then medical retirement for major depression and anxiety. Married almost 19 years to Terrence Knight also a USAF veteran. Two daughters 14 and 6 both were very difficult pregnancies causing bed rest. I have a A.S. In logistics, B.S. in Behavioral Science and a M.S. in Administration of Human Services. I am also a wedding officiant and a licensed nail technician. I work as a veteran coordinator for a state university. I hope to open a thrift and beauty studio in the future. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also apart of a military sorority AGXI which caters to the women veteran but gives back to the veteran community as a whole.
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Air Force Veteran : Cassaundra Melgar-C'De Baca
Army Brat, Air Force Veteran, Army Wife- CEO of VETTED Foundation- an Executive Education training program with UT-Austin helping those who have served to transition into executive positions. vetted.org
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Women Gulf War Veterans : Book Anthology Vol. 1 Be Featured in the Inaugural Issue! Visit: www.WomenVeteransMagazine.org to register Today!
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