WomenWhoServed Magazine |March Issue 2019 by WomenWhoServed Magazine

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March 2019

Navy Veteran:

Ashleigh Evans Transition Interview

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The decision to get out instead of pursuing my third look was tumultuous. I had a plan to do one more tour before I separated, so I am separating nearly three years earlier than I planned.

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Inside Phenomenal WomenWhoServed

On the cover: Navy Veteran: Ashleigh Evans

Author's Spotlight: Tee Marie Hanible

Makissa Lewis

Transition Corner: " The Exit Strategy" with Della Mack

"What the kale is Farm to Table with: Chef Tiffany Moore Kasey Ortiz

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Author's Spotlight Marine Veteran Tee Marie Hanible

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Author's Spotlight

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Marine Veteran Tee Marie Hanible

“Hanible's practical, no-nonsense advice and her candidness about all she's endured and conquered make her an impressive role model and guide for women and men of all ages who are navigating challenges in their lives.” --Booklist “Hanible…gives readers advice on rising to be their best in her spirited debut…. Readers willing to commit to a regimented program of selfbetterment will find this forceful book useful.” --Publishers Weekly "Tee Marie Hanible is a real life warrior and an incredibly fierce woman in her own right. The Warrior Code is a must read!" --Alyssa Milano "Tee Marie Hanible, a woman of incredible strength and courage, has now given readers a guide that will show them how to tap into their own power with The Warrior Code. A must have!" --Montel Williams THE WARRIOR CODE 11 Principles to Unleash the Badass Inside of You Gunnery Sergeant (Ret) Tee Marie Hanible with Denene Millner In THE WARRIOR CODE (February 5, 2019; St. Martin’s Press; $25.99), Tee Marie Hanible draws on her experience as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, reality star and Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant to serve up eleven principles to awaken your inner badass and thrive in the face of adversity. Tee has overcome more challenges than many will ever face. After surviving the death of her father, enduring foster care and being expelled from school, she joined military reform school, where she began uncovering her inner warrior. She was a member of the first class of females permitted to take the Marine combat-training course; she became a Marine Gunnery Sergeant, deployed to Iraq for the initial invasion in 2003 and was the only female to go out with her unit. After two decades of service in the Marine Corps, Tee was cast as the first female military expert on the hit Fox TV show, American Grit. Tee’s Warrior Code Principles include: · Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome: Get some grit · Semper Flexibilus (Always Flexible): Get out of your own way · Honor, Courage, Commitment: Give a helping hand · Whatever It Takes: Know your big reason · Gung-Ho (Work Together): Find your tribe · Ready for All, Yielding to None: Stand your ground · Don’t Tread on Me: Practice self-care With insightful honesty and wisdom, set against the backdrop of Tee’s life, THE WARRIOR CODE will help anyone understand that the key to achieving our true potential, no matter what gets lobbed like a Molotov cocktail your way, is to adapt, get back up, and realize one’s own innate strength. From surviving the streets of Chicago's south side to pioneering the opening of combat roles for women in the Marine Corps, to costarring on Fox TV's American Grit, Tee reveals the story of how she became a warrior, and how you can do it too. #

Recently retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after two decades of service, TEE MARIE HANIBLE became the first female military expert on “American Grit.” She founded Operation Heroes Connect, an organization that partners service members and veterans as mentors for at-risk youth. In 2012, she was featured in Newsweekmagazine’s “Heroes Edition.” She was the National Veteran's Chair for the Women's March and an Executive Board member of the Women’s March DC chapter, she currently serves on the board of the organization March On. THE WARRIOR CODE is her first book.

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Navy Veteran: Ashleigh Evans

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WWS Magazine: What program(s) do or did the Military offer to assist you with transitioning? A.E: I’m currently TAD in Marinette, WI with another LCS ship. While I strongly believe those separating from the Navy should take advantage of Transition Goals, Plans, Success (T-GPS, formerly known as TAPS) as early as possible and should take it twice, I’ve yet to take the course. TAPS also offers multiple classes that focus on specific goals; there is a separation class that prepares service members for entrepreneurship and one focused on applying to higher education programs. What I don’t think is an adequately used resource is Fleet and Family free counseling. Transitioning out of the military emotionally and mentally challenging, as any significant lifestyle shift would be. I watched my mom retire after twenty-six years, and it was really hard on her. I’m trying to prepare by addressing all my fears and emotions through counseling before I separate.

Navy Veteran Ashleigh Evans Transition Interview

WWS Magazine: . Were/Are you confident to enter into the civilian work space amongst other areas upon transitioning out of the Military? A.E: I would describe myself as “optimistically cautious.” I’ve witnessed enough transitions to know it’s something that one has to prepare for mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m preparing financially by paying of debt, living below my means, establishing a solid emergency fund, and topping off my passive income streams. At the very least, these actions enable me to rest assured that I’m doing everything to set myself up for success. I’ve also set myself up for some pretty lofty goals, so there’s a lot of risk in my plans. I applied to a top-tier nursing school with a competitive acceptance rate, and I would only be able to afford the school if I earn the National Health Services Corps federal scholarship, so that’s one more condition I have to earn. However, I’m much more afraid of failing to pursue my passions and dreams than failing to achieve them. For me, regret is scarier than failure.

Q &A

WWS Magazine: When did you start preparing to transition out of the Military? A.E: I actually only started to prepare in July, about 13 months before my separation date. Separating in August 2019 was not my original plan. I didn’t select for my next career milestone in June 2018, and I soon found myself caught in a whirlwind of manning concerns. What were my plans? If I didn’t stay in the Navy, when would I separate? What would I do in the civilian sector? What would this mean for the ship? I’m part of a new Navy program called the LCS program, so a large percentage of my specific community doesn’t select until our third look because our ships are pre-commissioned. Should I stay in the Navy long enough to receive three looks? I was standing watch while underway, and I found a still moment. I said to myself, “Ashleigh, you’re 27. What do you want out of life? Because life is giving you an opportunity to pursue it. You can either run to safety or run to opportunity.” I joined the Navy to become a doctor, and after five years of serving in a different community (I’m a Surface Warfare Officer), I’m ready to return to pursuing my initial ambitions in healthcare. I requested to resign my commission six weeks after learning I didn’t select for department head.

WWS Magazine: What are 2-3 challenges you are or have faced during your transition? A.E : The decision to get out instead of pursuing my third look was tumultuous. I had a plan to do one more tour before I separated, so I am separating nearly three years earlier than I planned. God had to intervene a lot more than he should have had to in order for me to fully understand that my plans for my life did not match his plans for my life. Once I finally heard his message, though, it was clear: “I don’t run on your timeline; you run on mine. Get ready.” Preparing financially. My goal was to leave the Navy debt-free with the exception of the mortgage on a rental property. This takes some flexing, and I’m still working towards this goal. I sold my car and got a roommate. Every extra dime, bonus, raise, etc. goes to decreasing my debt. It takes a mental discipline that I honestly never asked of myself before. But it’s even fun journey so far. Telling the command I have to focus on my transition. Currently, my crew is TAD to Marinette, WI, helping another crew prepare to commission their LCS. While up here, my crew learned that our own ship schedule had been compressed. Of course, as an Officer, it’s difficult to tell your sailors and command that you need time to take care of personal responsibilities like going to TAPS when everyone is working overtime to prepare for the ship schedule, but this is also a necessary adjustment. I’m learning the transition period is critical, so we have to learn to let go.

Transition Interview

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"Just be relentless about the things you want out of life being a millionaire, retiring early, traveling the world, being a blogger, anything. The only way to know if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re possible is if you try for yourself ". ~Ashleigh Evans

Transition Interview

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WWS Magazine: Share a few words of advice for fellow Women Veterans in regards to transitioning out of the Military. A.E.: Same as entrepreneurship, really. Write a list of the things that would disappoint you in life if you didn’t accomplish writing a book, going to a foreign country, taking care of your parents in their final years, spending time with your children/ grand children, whatever. This becomes the destination; write out how to get there. For example, I want to travel the world working in the childbirth communities. It’s my absolute passion. I’ve been applying to Masters of Nursing programs with midwifery specialties. I’ve also been looking at international fellowships as a back up plan in case I don’t get into my schools. Just be relentless about the things you want out of life - being a millionaire, retiring early, traveling the world, being a blogger, anything. The only way to know if they’re possible is if you try for yourself.

Georgett Kerr - continued WomenWhoServed Magazine

Marine Veteran Kasey Ortiz

My name is Kasey Ortiz, and I am a Proud Marine Corps Veteran, Author, Prestigious Enrolled Agent and all around Diva! I faithfully served my country as an active-duty Marine for almost 6 years before I was required to take a medical discharge and wondered what career path to pursue. Multi-talented and interested in several different paths, I decided to take a tax class in 1991. There, I learned that my military discharge pay had been incorrectly taxed. I immediately amended my taxes, received a refund, and thought to myself; “How many other people out there don’t know the tax laws and tax information crucial to protecting their family income?” Over the next 10 years, I worked for all of the big name tax agencies. Eventually, I was offered the opportunity to lead a franchise’s tax office and made the office #1! It was a first in the history of the San Diego county offices. Disappointed with the ‘cookie-cutter’ approach of the big name tax agencies, I was convinced that going independent was the only way to incorporate my philosophy of educating the client. Following that passion, The Tax Tip Diva was created to educate and help new or established Business Owners regarding tax issues affecting their income. In the current day, I have been in the Tax Industry for over 25 years helping individuals and businesses keep more of what they have earned. As an Enrolled Agent, I enjoy working with small business owners on Tax Strategies along with Compliance Issues, whether they are sole proprietors, or newly formed entities (S-Corp., LLC, etc). I am a regular speaker for Professional organizations and Entrepreneurial meetings sharing tax tips. I also particularly reach out to military and their families, to ensure they are getting all of the tax benefits they are entitled to.

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Army Veteran Rhonda Bush

Rhonda Nikole is a native of Columbia, SC who fully believes the promises of our Heavenly Father. Having suffered with PTSD, depression, and anxiety Rhonda Nikole uses her real life experiences to encourage others that with Christ, they can and will overcome any situation. I am a current eight year Army Reservist who has served two tours overseas. PTSD, depression, and anxiety have been silent battles for me, for the past five years. In an effort to receive healing and impact others I have established the Rhonda Nikole brand and platform on Social Media. Daily, I post inspirational, and encouraging messages to inspire other individuals who also suffer with PTSD. The Jesus is Greater than Tee Collection officially launched, this past Sunday, March 3rd in an effort to bring social awareness to Mental Health disorders in the Veteran and African American community. In fact, the Jesus is greater than tee was created with those who suffer silently in mind.

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Army Veteran

Makissa Lewis

Transition Q&A

WWS Magazine: When did you start preparing to transition out of the Military? M.L. : Once I went in the Army for the last time. I was prior service. I knew that time go by fast once in so I started prepping immediately. WWS Magazine : What program(s) do or did the Military offer to assist you with transitioning? M.L. : I went to ACAP but I found that was rushed and tailored to the non single soldier. What helped in transitioning is taking my own time emailing schools and researching degree programs. It meant not going to the club because I wanted to wake up early to go to the post library. WWS Magazine : Were/Are you confident to enter into the civilian work space amongst other areas upon transitioning out of the Military? M.L. : I was not confident because as I stated I was prior service. I went back in the Army because jobs were not there. It is reason I decided to get more education rather seek immediate employment. WWS Magazine: What are 2-3 challenges you are or have faced during your transition? M.L: I live in South Florida and not knowing Spanish is/was a major factor. Also, I was an automated logistics specialist when I was in the Army. I wanted to do something different in the field of community service. I had no degree for what I wanted to do. WWS Magazine: What are 2-3 resources you wish were made available to you to aid in a smooth transition? M.L : Some of the resources I wish were available I incorporated in my nonprofit, My Seester. For example, update on such issues as education, employment, and so on that impact female veteran transition. On My Seester Instagram page we attempt to make female veterans aware on what is going on. It truly helps. The other resource that helps with transition is having a buddy, a battle who been there done that. That is something My Seester is in the process of establishing.

" It is an on going process. You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t alone".. www.WomenVeteransMagagazine.org

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Transition Corner 8 Key Questions

by: Della Mack Leadership Development Consultant Mack’s Perspective, LLC

The Exit Strategy There’s a multitude of feelings experienced when service members prepare to leave the military. Taking a leap in a new direction can be so nerve-racking. Some questions that may arise are: how do I maintain financial stability, what careers do I qualify for, and what needs to be done for a smooth separation? This thought process enables the creation of your exit strategy. An “exit strategy” is a well-developed plan used to smoothly transition from one place in life to another. Combat the feeling of uncertainty and unpreparedness by thinking through these 8 key things as you develop your own exit strategy:

1. How long do you have left in the military? (To establish a timeline) 2. What is your desired education level? (To set personal development goals) 3. What is your next desired career position? (To determine if you want to pursue a new career field or obtain a position within your current area of expertise? 4. What are your current financial obligations? (To determine what salary is needed to maintain your normal cost of living and reassess budget) 5. Are there any family considerations? (To identify important factors to keep in mind) 6. Have you obtained a permanent life insurance policy? (To stay ensured when the SGLI coverage goes away) 7. What impacts will the transition have on your retirement plan? (To identify any gaps in the retirement plan) 8. How do you convey your military skills into civilian terminology? (To create a resume, cover letter, and other tools for your job search)

Let these questions provide some clarity for you and utilize resources available to help you along the way.

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