As I celebrate my 14th year in the National Guard, I find myself pausing to reflect on the incredible journey, challenges faced, and lessons learned along the way. This milestone isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to years of commitment, growth, tears, definite struggles and dedication. In this blog post, I’m excited to share seven valuable lessons that I’ve learned throughout this journey and seven essential resources I’ve personally used, that have been instrumental throughout my National Guard service.
Alexa, crank up the volume for Toni, Toni, Tone because guess what? It’s my anniversary, and we’re about to paaarrrttyyyy”
Lessons I’ve Learned:
- Go with the Flow (Adaptability): Life in the military is like living on a roller coaster—tons of twists and turns! Being in the National Guard has taught me to roll with the punches, whether we’re talking about new missions, switching up the team/ roles, adapting new systems, or just dealing with everyday life stuff. Flexibility is basically my superpower now, literally, because you never know! Just be ready and prepared.
- Lead from the Front (Leadership): The National Guard isn’t just about supporting hurricanes and riots—it’s a gold mine for learning how to lead in various environments. I’ve been the go-to person for my sections and even some leaders. I’ve had the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life and it has really shown me how solid leadership, communication skills, and being a team player make all the difference.
- Bouncing Back (Resilience): Slipping on that uniform means you’ve gotta be ready for a bumpy ride. From tough times on deployment to the juggle struggle of civilian and soldier life, bouncing back has always been the name of the game. I don’t know how I’m able to do all the things that I do but I do.
- Leveling Up Myself (Personal Development): The National Guard is big on leveling up. I stuck my hands and nose in all kinds of opportunities because they’re all about helping you grow. You have to be willing to put in the work. This has been huge for me. I’m always open to learn and always on the hint for the next opportunity to excel in my career. It’s the cheat code for winning at life in and out of the uniform.
- All for One, One for All (Teamwork): Let me tell you, my battles are TOP Tier! The relationships and bonds formed extends beyond the uniform. Making these tight bonds with peers makes the job a bit easier, knowing we’re all in this together.
- Living the Double Life (Work-Life Balance): Balancing my National Guard duties with my life as a civilian can be a lot at times. Somehow, over the years, I’ve figured out the secret sauce to keeping everything ticking without dropping the ball. If you’ve seen my socials, you know I’m always up to something—snapping pics, blogging, or stirring up some fresh content. It’s all part of my beautifully organized chaos. Overtime, you will learn the pace based on your responsibilities and be able to adapt and figure out what works for you. Once you find it, stick with it.
- Shoutout to the Wise Ones (Seeking Mentorship): I’ve been super lucky to have some amazing leaders and mentors throughout this time. Their wisdom, pep talks, and killer support network have been game-changers for me. Even though lots have hung up their boots, they’re still just a call away for advice or an ear when I’ve gotta vent.
Resources I’ve Used:
Before we dive any further, bookmark this page. The below resources may be something you want to come back to. They’ll save you money, potentially boost your civilian career, help you start a business, or get that dream home….but don’t forget, you heard it from me!
- VA Home Loan: If you’re a proud uniform wearer, you should be pretty familiar with this benefit. Thanks to the VA Home loan , I managed to buy my first house at the age of 28. It was a new construction and no down payment. Some of the perks of this benefit include, again, the possibility of no down payment (though this can depend on your lender), competitively low interest rates, waived private mortgage insurance, and the fact that as a lifetime benefit, you can use it multiple times. Just a heads up, the market is a bit wild at the moment, so I wouldn’t recommend buying a house right now. But if it fits within your budget, why not go for it? For more information on checking your eligibility, head to the VA benefits Site.
- Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE): What an amazing experience this was! I learned so much about starting a business, resources available to me as a service member, and more. V-Wise helps us women veterans and female military spouses/partners find our passion and learn the business skills necessary to grow our ventures. Let me inform you, this event is hosted in various locations, so keep an eye out for when it comes to a place near you. I’m in North Carolina and made the trip to Tennessee for it, and it was totally worth it! You’ll need to cover your travel costs, but they’ve got your room and some meals covered. If this sounds like your cup of tea, check out the V-Wise website for more details.
- Amex Platinum Credit Card: This has been a game-changer for me. If you or your spouse is in the military, you have to check out the American Express Platinum Card Benefits. I didn’t realize what I was missing until I got it last year, thanks to my battle buddy. So many benefits come with the AMEX Card, and the best part? They waive the annual fee for service members and their spouses! As a spouse, you can have your own card with the annual fee waived, saving you about $650 a year. There are countless benefits, but one of my favorites is the entertainment credit, which lets me have both STARZ and HULU, for FREE! Just remember that once you’re no longer on active duty, the annual fee will apply, but it’s still a great deal considering the perks. If you’re interested, you can find more info on the Amex website.
- Credentialing Assistance: In our ever-changing economy, certifications are holding just as much weight as degrees, if not more. Good news – the military offers a plethra of opportunities to earn certifications in virtually any skill you fancy. The opportunities are endless. I’m talking everything from sought-after HR and IT certificates, to project management, fitness coaching, and even niche areas like Adobe National certifications. So far, I’ve bagged a certification and an apprenticeship. Snagging a certification in the modern job market could be your express lane to a promising job prospect, and a boost for your career and salary. So, what are you waiting for? There’s a cool $4,000 with your name on it right here!
- Libby Library App: Are you a bookworm or looking to become one? This app is a gem! It lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from your local library for free! And don’t worry if you don’t have a local library card, your Military CAC will give you access to the DOD MWR Library. You can find more information here. My goal this year is to read more book and the Libby app makes it possible to read wherever I may be.
- DoD Savings Deposit Program (SDP): Got some cash sitting around and looking to make a little extra during deployment? This is a fantastic opportunity to invest. The SDP Program was a resource I used during my deployment to put my money to work while serving overseas. It’s as simple as depositing up to $10,000 to let it sit to gain compound interest until heading back stateside. You will earn 10% interest annually. That is all there is to it. To participate in this benefit, you must be receiving Hostile Fire Pay and be deployed for at least 30 consecutive days, or 1 day in each of 3 consecutive months. If this applies to you, you can find more information here.
- Boots for Troops Boots: Boots For Troops is a wonderful non-profit organization that lifts spirits and improves the mental well-being of deployed service members defending our freedom. I personally used this service during my 2019 deployment and loved it. Who doesn’t enjoy a personalized goodie box, right? And the best part? Each care package includes a new pair of boots, carefully chosen for each service member. If you’ve got more than 6 months left on your deployment, you can request a package here.
Looking back, it’s been an incredible journey filled with lessons and blessings that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m so thankful for every single moment. My hope is to inspire and provide some insights for those who might be considering a similar path. What are your thoughts on the lessons or resources above?
Feel free to share this post with them with anyone who might find it useful. Here’s to another year filled with service, growth, and never-ending learning and endless opportunities. Cheers!
