“Hurry up and Wait”

It began with a phone call from my recruiter, Sgt. Elizabeth De Hoyos, two weeks ago.

The long-awaited news came from the medical waiver I needed to enter the U.S. Army National Guard. I was accepted and would travel to the Sunset Highway MEPS (Military Entrancing Processing Station) location in Airway Heights on June 2.

A swell of excitement and anxiety swept over me in that one phone call.

I dedicated most of my physical and mental training to tests and military evaluations for the past seven months. Nothing else mattered to me.

All I wanted was this chance — I have been ready and eager to serve my country.

When I received the information, I was informed I would stay at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane for one night. However, one night would turn into two nights. One expected day at MEPS would turn into three before I could swear in.

The hotel was simply breathtaking. I felt like a wealthy middle-aged woman sitting in the alcove, sipping coffee by the window, in a complimentary white bathrobe provided by the hotel.

The first night’s debrief of MEPS events began sharply at 8:30 p.m., only a few hours after check-in.

The journalism and photography world — and being in your young 20s — leads to a fast-paced lifestyle. I am constantly moving and traveling with my job and college life.

But for three days, I sat and waited.

I previously went through all the military medical exams in Detroit, Mich., months prior. So for my trip to MEPS, I only needed to secure a job and swear in.

Or so I thought.

At 4:30 a.m., a telephone alarm went off. Our small group of new recruits navigated down the halls for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and hash browns.

We were given 30 minutes to eat and were loaded onto a bus. We lined up and entered the security room.

For the next two days, the guys in security would tease me by calling me a “regular.”

The first day was the most stressful for many.

Initially, I planned to swear in as a 25 Victor (a combat videographer). Much to my chagrin, the Army is removing the job and creating a new one.

However, with my test scores and medical exams, I qualified for a different job appearing in several Hollywood shows and films.

“Jack Ryan” would be proud — I ultimately decided to become a 35 Fox Trot (intelligence analyst) for a combat aviation unit dispatched out of Michigan.

Deciding to join intelligence was a much easier decision than I thought. Especially after I got off the phone with my very distressed mother when I suggested combat medicine as an alternative.

I have never heard so many Hail Marys in a phone call.

We would jump through the hoops and hurdles for the next two days to secure the clearances needed for the job.

At least at 20 years old, I didn’t have an extensive history. I am, after all, still a “kid.”

I saw new friends come and go with certificates from their swearing-in ceremonies and could only dream of when it would be my turn. The moment I was called into the room and told everything worked out was the sweetest relief I have ever felt.

On that third day, the months and months of stress, paperwork, and physical tests had concluded. I made history for my family as the first woman to pursue the Army, and I accomplished the biggest goal in my life.

I did it from medical waivers, physical tests, qualification tests, and more. Holding the Army National Guard Plaque in my hand after swearing in signified the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

A new chapter that I can’t wait to start and share with all of you.