My story started a few years before I ever stood on the yellow foot prints in Parris Island. I enjoyed my time in Army and Air Force JROTC programs. Being involved with Rifle Team, Drill Team, and Color Guard just drove my love for the military to the point I wanted to be a Marine. It was about being a part of something more, something I never imagined being part of but found myself loving it, yes I loved Marine Corps Boot Camp. I love being a Marine! My commitment to the Corps didn't end with just myself and my time in service. I also became a spouse to an Active Duty Marine. The two most amazing days when it comes to being a Marine and part of the family wasn't my graduation from boot camp but the day that I received my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) just the day prior. It was the biggest honor to have received it from the Drill Instructor that rode my rear every day of boot camp and pushed me beyond being pushed and told me as I received my EGA she rode me so hard because I reminded her of herself and she wanted nothing less then the best from me. The second day was my wedding day when 'MY MARINES' (yes My Marines as they were from my unit) welcomed me to the Corps as a Wife of a Marine. I gave more sacrifices of my life, my family, and my career being a spouse then I ever did when serving.
My time in service was just one enlistment as I had my first daughter and my civilian career while supporting my husbands activity duty service. However, I spent 12 years as a Marine Wife of two young girls which includied relocation due to base closures, a deployment to Afghanistan, and a tour in Okinawa, Japan. I found myself leaving jobs/companies I loved or recently started and thought I would be at for awhile. I even had to turn down a wonderful opportunity while on Okinawa on a DOD contract with Security Clearance as no realiable child care as we were new to the island.
If that sacrifice wasn't enough we took on Recruiting Duty and that took it's toll in many ways that took my marriage and his 13 year career. I found myself resentful of the military, my ex, and my sacrifices and stepped away from all things military related. I spent the following years solely focused and dedicated to being a single mom and the sole income that I sacrificed my career more for stability. It was my oldest being in Navy JROTC that reignited my passion and love for not only My Marine Corps but of all the military as I have so many friends and some family that span the branches. Now that my girls are now young ladies and starting down their own path and finding myself remarried I have the opportunity to refocus on me and my career.
Merivis has been an important part of this opportunity in my life as they have been in many other individual lives through their programs to come along train, mentor, and work with individuals in the military and veteran communities to prepare ourselves for job readiness Salesforce clouod technology positions.
With a growing need for Salesforce certified professionals and an increasing number of underemployed veterans in the country, Merivis bridges the gap to help veterans transition to civilian life and find great careers. Since they started in 2015, Merivis has impacted the lives of nearly 250 military veterans by supporting them in their transition to civilian careers. Through their Salesforce training programs, they've put them on the path to growing, in-demand technology roles and they couldn't have done it without every member of the Merivis Community.
I invite you to join the me and the Merivis fundraising team in spreading the word and raising funds to host additional programs in support our veterans.
