SFC Jennifer Palacios, U.S. Army
I can remember the day like it was yesterday as my mother, father, recruiter, and I sat around the kitchen table to sign my initial enlistment contract. My mother was in tears and my father kept saying something along the lines of, “If you’re joining for college money, your mother and I will pay for your schooling.” You see, I was only 17 at the time, and was set on joining the Army; my parents on the other hand didn’t quite understand. I didn’t know exactly what “serving” meant entirely at the time, but if I was going to be the first woman president, I felt it was my civic duty to serve my country. It had been my dream since the 8th grade to become the first woman president, and I felt that the Army seemed like the branch that suited me the best. I wasn’t too sure of the difference between active duty, National Guard, and the reserves, but I joined the National Guard because they were the first recruiting office to send me a post card.
Growing up in rural Wisconsin I hadn’t really traveled much other than the occasional visits to Michigan to visit family, so the day I left for basic training was another experience I will never forget. I remember waiting at the MEPPS station for the cab to take me and a few others to the airport. I had never been so nervous in my life. That day had many firsts for me. Not only was it the first time I had ever ridden in a cab and an airplane, but it was the first time I would be away from home for any extended period of time. It was sink or swim time, and twenty years later I’m still serving with no end in sight for the foreseeable future.
Now I quickly learned that maybe being the first woman president was something I no longer wanted to pursue, but helping others and being able to make a difference was, and still is, something that has driven my motivation to serve. I have met so many amazing men and women throughout my career and I am proud and honored to have served alongside of them to include two of my three younger brothers. One thing about serving that many who haven’t served struggle to understand is that there is an unexplainable, unbreakable bond that forms in the face of adversity, a bond in which you are willing to lay down your life for your fellow comrades and they would do the same for you. I have shared that bond with many I have served beside, and for me, the military has been the one constant thing in my life and the one thing I wouldn’t have changed.
Growing up as the oldest of four and the only girl, I had to be tough and lead by example. My parents taught my brothers and me to be patient, honest, kind, and giving. To persevere even when we feel like giving up. The Army was the logical next step to the parenting plans of my mother and father, where I have learned to be resilient, to adapt and overcome any obstacles that life may present, and I have also become the jack of many trades, holding three different jobs during my career. Along with my military obligations, I am a mother of three wonderful children, who have supported me throughout years, and have become somewhat military “brats” by default. At one point I was also a spouse to active duty military member, but sometimes things don’t work out the way we intend them to. Failure isn’t failure if a lesson from its learned and as long as we wake up each day and put our best foot forward, our potential is limitless.
With the good also comes the bad on occasion. My most challenging experience during my career came just this past year with the suicide death of my youngest brother who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I would like to say that I have come through it unscathed; however, I would be lying. I have learned that the best thing I can do to grieve and honor my brother’s memory and others like him is to bring awareness and education to the issue of soldier/veteran suicide and PTSD. My goal moving forward is to contribute somewhere in the prevention of soldier/veteran suicide and the treatment of PTSD. As I share my family’s story, I have learned of valuable resources that can assist families who maybe grieving the loss of a loved one. The VA has a grief counseling program, and with the possession of my brother’s DD 214, my family, even those who have never served, are eligible for grief counseling.
I have learned that the best thing I can do to grieve and honor my brother’s memory and others like him is to bring awareness and education to the issue of soldier/veteran suicide and PTSD. My goal moving forward is to contribute somewhere in the prevention of soldier/veteran suicide and the treatment of PTSD. As I share my family’s story, I have learned of valuable resources that can assist families who maybe grieving the loss of a loved one. The VA has a grief counseling program, and with the possession of my brother’s DD 214, my family, even those who have never served, are eligible for grief counseling.
If there was one thing I could pass on to the next generation of leaders it would be to stay true to yourself and the Army values (loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage), know your soldiers (really know your soldiers), you need to be able to give respect to get respect, and lead by example. I almost forgot the most important things, never stop learning and growing. The military has afforded me the opportunity to pursue my degree in a field in which I love; Exercise and Sports Science, and I give back by coaching and mentoring fellow comrades and colleagues in their health and nutrition goals.
My legacy would be sharing the wealth of knowledge I have obtained over the years, being the jack of many trades, and I hope to be remembered as the NCO who gave all she had to help all those around her.
Although my original reason for serving may have altered slightly, I still serve for my country, but I also serve for those who have come before me, those who will come after me, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
