Why I Joined the Air Force Reserves—And Why I’m Finally Talking About It

If you’ve followed my journey on LinkedIn you know I’m a communications strategist, entrepreneur, and creative storyteller, but you might be surprised to learn this: I also serve in the United States Air Force Reserve as an Aerospace Propulsion Technician, working on F-16 fighter jet engines. Although it’s not a secret (it’s right there in my LinkedIn bio), it’s not something I’ve drawn any attention to—until now.

It will definitely come as a surprise if we are connected on IG because I never post about this there.

Joining the military wasn’t some lifelong ambition. I didn’t grow up dreaming of wearing a uniform. But over time, the idea began to take root, and when I finally made the decision, it resulted from years of reflection, life experiences, and deep conversations with people I admire.

I also haven’t spoken about it a lot because I’ve realized that when I do bring it up, it provokes a lot of surprised questions. I was 38 when I joined, after all, and sometimes it felt more like I was justifying my decisions rather than celebrating them. And to be honest, I worried that sharing this side of myself would make me less relatable, or too intense, or somehow confusing. But the truth is that this is part of my Big Bold Moves philosophy—the belief that we grow when we do things that stretch us, scare us, and rewrite our narratives.

I joined the military not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I wanted to know myself better. I wanted to challenge myself.  I wanted to lead differently. And I wanted to serve. It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

So why did I join? There are many reasons. Here are the main ones (I won’t get into too much detail because then this post would never end!)

The First Spark: Sierra Leone

Before I ever considered military service, I had one of the most formative experiences of my life: I lived and worked in Sierra Leone for two years during the Ebola Virus Crisis.

That time was intense, challenging, amazing, frustrating, wonderful, and profoundly meaningful. I worked alongside an extraordinary team of global professionals and communicators doing incredible work to help improve livelihoods. Put simply, we worked with businesses, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and the nation’s leaders to help get the private sector back on track. It was some of the most challenging and rewarding work I’ve ever done. It was a dream job.

I left Sierra Leone changed. I felt proud—proud of the work we did and the impact we had. Thousands of lives were touched because we helped create an environment where people could thrive. As I flew home, I remember thinking: I want to serve like this again. I want to serve my own country, too. Again, I keep this short because the transformative power of that experience is sufficient for a book.

Grad School and a Global Perspective

That desire to serve stayed with me as I entered graduate school. I enrolled in a global strategic communications program that took me around the world—studying leadership, communications strategy, and storytelling in an international context. Our cohort traveled, learned, and grew together. It was thrilling and enlightening. It stretched my worldview. Although I was already well-traveled, this experience strengthened the skills I had gained in Sierra Leone and further validated my decision to shift my career in new directions. I lost my father just after I graduated from grad school, and that, combined with some other big changes in my personal life, strengthened this feeling in me.

I felt the same pull: I wanted to do something more, something grounded in service, something that demanded more from me than professional ambition.

Then came the Pandemic

Like many people, I had time to think during the pandemic lockdown—a lot of time.

Everything had slowed down. Professional plans were shifting. Personal dynamics were changing. I was working hard, but I still felt like something was missing, something bigger than me. It was during this quiet time that I revisited the idea of joining the military. I had friends in the Air Force who spoke incredibly highly of the experience. They told me stories of growth, camaraderie, and purpose. I was intrigued—and this time, I did the research. I had long conversations. I reflected deeply. And I decided it was time for another Big Bold Move.

A Deliberate, Bold Choice

At 38 years old, I enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and chose to work in aerospace propulsion, a field that could not be more different from my civilian life in PR, communications, and business. I did that on purpose. I wanted a challenge, to break out of my comfort zone, and to embody the values I talk about so often: resilience, adaptability, courage, and growth.

So, I went to Basic Training. Me! I need to say that again. I went into basic training with a very weak push-up game and came out a push-up goddess. Fun fact: I was older than my drill sergeant. I also learned how to turn a wrench on fighter jets. I passed my physical training exams. I graduated boot camp with honors. And I found myself in rooms and situations I never imagined—growing stronger, faster, and more capable with each step.

Only about 10% of aerospace propulsion technicians in the U.S. military are women. And here I was, walking confidently in steel-toed boots, making my mark in a male-dominated field.

What It’s Given Me

Serving has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. It gave me structure. It gave me health insurance. It gave me a second community. It’s how I met my husband! It gave me a sense of contributing to my community and society that goes beyond my business. And it reminds me—every single day—that I am capable of big, bold moves.

I didn’t join because I had to. I joined because I wanted to. Because I believe in being of service. And because I want to be badass. But most importantly,  I want our son to see his mom doing things that matter, even when they’re hard. Especially when they’re hard.

This is who I am. I’m a mom. I am a business owner, a strategist, and I have a creative mind. I’m a speaker and storyteller. I’m a woman in aerospace. And I’m a proud member of the United States Air Force Reserve. This month, I’ll be speaking at the Women’s Aerospace Network—bringing my two worlds together for the first time in a public way. And I couldn’t be more honored or excited.

If there’s something bold in your heart that you’ve been afraid to share or pursue, let me be the one to say: You can do it. It’s never too late. You’re more capable than you think.

If you’ve been looking for a sign, this is it.

Make the move.