Explosive Ordnance Disposal is an extremely competitive and male dominated career field. So naturally wen I joined the Air Force, it was my number oe choice. After basic training I was sent to a 10 day preliminary course. During these 10 days 75% of our class would fail or opt out. I not only had to overcome the rigorous curriculum, I also, of course, hurt myself. To this day I'm not sure what caused it. I woke up one morning to find my ankle bruised and swollen. I did what any girl in this situation would do. I laced up my boots and went to school! I made it through the preliminary course, and got to the second part of my training in Eglin AFB in Florida. During my first physical fitness test there, I failed my run. To make this even better, the school Commander was running with me. "What is wrong with you Airman?!?! I'm 46 years old, I shouldn't be beating you!!" Me :My ankle hurts REALLY BAD SIR" Him: "You get your ass to the doc first thing tomorrow!" Me: completely intimidated. "Yessir!"
The next day, I went to the dog. I didn't like him one bit. He looked at my ankle and asked me to take off my other boot. He then told me "Women retain more water, that's where the swelling is coming from. You have tendonitis. Staff off of it for SIX MONTHS." You cannot start school with a physical profile (unhealthy). I went right back to the hospital the next day. This time it was Major Hughes. I remember him because he was kind to me, and he believed me. I told him what happened and he looked up and said "OK Kiddo, let's get you to X-ray". A few hours later he visited me to say "Are you OK? Because you broke your leg". It meant that I was still on a profile (obviously), but I would be in school before Christmas. That was a win for me. Well that and the awesome moon boot I got to wear around.
The moral of the story is. Sometimes you have to lace up your boots and show up. You have to be brave and get through the thing that's right in front of you. It's OK to be afraid. It's OK to NOT WANT TO. Just know that you can do it. Believe in yourself. Lace up your boots. Show up. I believe in you <3
The next day, I went to the dog. I didn't like him one bit. He looked at my ankle and asked me to take off my other boot. He then told me "Women retain more water, that's where the swelling is coming from. You have tendonitis. Staff off of it for SIX MONTHS." You cannot start school with a physical profile (unhealthy). I went right back to the hospital the next day. This time it was Major Hughes. I remember him because he was kind to me, and he believed me. I told him what happened and he looked up and said "OK Kiddo, let's get you to X-ray". A few hours later he visited me to say "Are you OK? Because you broke your leg". It meant that I was still on a profile (obviously), but I would be in school before Christmas. That was a win for me. Well that and the awesome moon boot I got to wear around.
The moral of the story is. Sometimes you have to lace up your boots and show up. You have to be brave and get through the thing that's right in front of you. It's OK to be afraid. It's OK to NOT WANT TO. Just know that you can do it. Believe in yourself. Lace up your boots. Show up. I believe in you <3