I grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., in a very dysfunctional household. My mother was not the best role model for me. My parents divorced when I was about five. I was very shy all throughout my school years. I thought that I would never amount to much in my life. I always felt lost. All I knew was what I had lived.
By the time I was 19, I was tired of the rut I felt like I was in. I was ready to get out of my shell and move away from that environment. I was pretty much depressed about where my life was going. My father had wanted me to join the army, and, a lot of my friends were joining the army, so I thought it would be a way out for me. I wasn't prepared for what was in store for me.
Once I joined the military and arrived at basic training, I was terrified. I didn't think that I was going to make it through. I kept saying to myself that it was too hard. I was scared of failing and not being able to get past my fears.
As I went through the training, I was surprised at what I was able to do. I was able to run the distance, fire a variety of weapons, road march 12 miles, adapt to diverse situations, and so many more things that make me very proud.
The military was both mentally and physically exhausting, but I handled all these tough situations and events that I thought at one time were too hard for me. Who would have thought that I, a shy girl from Brooklyn, would be able to accomplish this? I found out a lot about myself back then. I was a lot stronger than I thought I was.
I learned to challenge myself in every aspect of my life, whether physically or mentally. I am now able to work in the corporate environment using my military skills. The military gave me a confidence about myself that I never knew I had. I am able to work in the corporate world using my discipline and my work ethic to get the job done to the best of my ability.
