What It's Like to Be A Woman In The Military - They Call Me T

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I started getting serious about joining the military my senior year of high school. Before that, no one really paid me any attention when I would mention it. Senior year we got a new JROTC instructor, one day he asked me what my plans were after high school. When I told him I planned to join the Texas Army National Guard and attend college, he just laughed at me. He told me that I had no chance of passing basic training so I should “find a new life goal“.

At that moment I felt defeated, this army veteran was telling me I wouldn’t make it, that I was wasting my time. Honestly, for a split second, I believed him, I thought maybe he’s right and I wouldn’t make it.

It took me a long time to think I was good enough to accomplish my dream. December 2015 was the first time I went to MEPS to join. I had to take the ASVAB again because when I took it in high school I didn’t take it seriously. When I took it that morning at MEPS, my score was too high – an increase from my last score that was so drastic that I had to take a confirmation test. Just to prove it was really me taking this test – stupid I know.

Well, I couldn’t come back another day to take the test, I HAD to take it that day. MEPS rules. The bad thing was the confirmation test wasn’t for another three hours. So between the stress and the lack of sleep and food, I sadly didn’t make a high enough score to keep my new test score. The average between the two had to be higher than a lowest passing score for a new recruit. Which meant I would have to take the ASVAB a third time, but in six months.

That day I felt like it was a sign that maybe the military just wasn’t the route I was meant to take. So I waited six months and in that time I graduated high school and knew that the military is what I wanted to do. So FINALLY on June 17, 2016, I swore into the United States Texas Army National Guard.

The negativity didn’t stop there, I had friends refer to me as lady soldier because they felt like women didn’t belong in the military. I went to basic training and worked my butt off and GRADUATED! I am a woman in the military and I’m proud of it.

I only use Brawny ® Pick-a-Size 8 Giant Plus in my household because they realize that not all heroes are a “he.” I know that I’m a hero to my little sister and I hope to be a hero to all the girls who are thinking about joining the military.

Brawny’s® campaign Strength Has No Gender™ tells stories of everyday women in cities across America who have been breaking down barriers in male-dominated industries and empowering others. Brawny® Paper Towels hold up to all the messes I throw at it.

Who Is A SHEro?

A SHEro refers to a woman who is resilient, who isn’t afraid of breaking boundaries. She has broken through with amazing actions. A SHEro puts others before herself. A SHEro is someone to look up to someone that inspires you. She not only faces adversity but thrives.

This Women’s History Month, tell us the story of your SHEro with #StrenthHasNoGender and encourage a friend to do the same.

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GIRLS INC. PARTNERSHIP MODULE SHEROES OF TOMORROW: Brawny® will donate a $100K and, will also give your SHEro stories to Girls Inc. to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Let’s shape a better future and prove #StrengthHasNoGender

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