You are listening to the women of the military podcast where we share the stories of female service members and how the military touch their lives. I'm your host military veteran military spouse and Mom Amanda Huffman. My goal is to find the heart of the story and uncover issues women face while serving in the military. If you want to be encouraged by the stories of military women and be inspired to change the world keep tuned for this latest episode of women of them. military Do you want more stories of military women veterans? I just launched a book sharing 28 stories of military women. It includes stories ranging from women in the process of joining the military to women who have served and retired stories from the Army Air Force Marines and navy but don't take my word for it here what Natalie said about the book. This is a fabulous collection of inspirational stories of endurance struggles and women forging their own Futures. They diversity of their background and experience is fascinating. But the broad range of military careers is astounding and sets to Heart how integral women are in the military. This is a must read for anyone considering a career with the Armed Forces or struggling to figure out their future career The Challenge and adjustments. These women have made to create the life best suited for them is the type of motivation encouragement that can help others be confident in reaching their dreams. Check it out on my website Airmen to Mom.com or on on my guest today is my hamon Mariah is a military spouse and is currently in the process of joining the military. I had the opportunity to interview Mariah for might book women of the military that you can find a link to in the show note, and I'm excited to follow up with her as her journey to military life has not been easy. I wanted to talk to her about how much time it takes to join the military and some of the challenges people face while working to join the military. I'm excited to interview you today. I'm so glad Here I'm excited to do this. All right, let's talk a little bit about why you decided to join the military. Well, I decided going because it's something that I've always wanted to do since I was little there's a song it's kind of funny. But I Toby Keith can't remember the name of it. It's like the red white and blue song or whatever. I remember ever since I heard it. The first time I was like Mom we need to play us on the fourth of July. She was like why I was like such a good song and I I was in like Elementary School probably second or third grade and every time I heard it, I was like I'm gonna do that. I'm gonna do what Toby Keith is talking about in this song and they're just have been a few other experiences that I've had throughout Junior High and high school that really made me have that fire in my heart for joining the military once I went into high school. I kind of decided that The college route was probably what I was gonna go because I just didn't know what branch I wanted to do. And that's just kind of how that happened. And so you ended up marrying someone in the service, right? Yes. So your husband's on active duty right now. Yeah, he's active duty with the Air Force and you're working to and listen to their Force. Yes. And so what has that process been like Like it's been a very lengthy process. So my husband and I went to high school together and I was actually the first person to talk to a military recruiter. I went and talked to an army recruiter, but I just did not like the things that he was telling me and kind of seemed like everything was sounding too good to be true and I at the time I hated flying and I did not want to join the Air Force because I saw the Air Force which is Pilots. I knew nothing about the Air Force and I didn't want to join the Marines and the Navy I was iffy about for certain reasons, but just people have told me so I was kind of like okay go to college figure it out. So I talked to my husband about it when we were just best friends and he was like no I need to start talking to a recruiter. So he started talking to an Air Force recruiter and his journey started pretty quickly while I was still Back home just doing community college working on my degree and he just he went to tech school and we started talking and we are kind of like okay, you know what we want our relationship to start so fast forward. We got married and everything I moved over here and when I saw the base, I was like, oh my goodness. This is crazy because where he's stationed is where BMT takes place. So he showed me the DMT squadrons and I was like, wow, that's where you've been. For two months when we weren't able to talk and I was just really that fire in my heart started going again. So we were married for about a month or two and then I was like, hey, I really think I want to try to join the Air Force and he was like are you sure was like, yeah, I remember in high school. I really wanted to do it was like yeah, okay go ahead and contact her recruiter. So I got ahold of her recruiter and then I had just a random walk in appointment to go in and talk and ask questions and all of a sudden I had a kidney stone pop up so that kidney stone actually delayed my process for an entire year from there after I was cleared from the kidney stone at least two physical maps. I went up took my physical. I just realized I totally skipped over that. Part, my husband took the ASVAB in high school. And because I wasn't completely sure about what route I wanted to go. I wasn't going to in a way waste my time taking the ASVAB. So I had to take the ASVAB here at my MEPS station. And so when I did that I went up I didn't have to stay at the hotel or anything the ASVAB was the only thing I never had to stay at the hotel for I actually took the ASVAB twice because Cuz I wasn't very happy with my first scores and by taking it the second time it opened up probably was like 20 or 30 additional jobs. Just taking the ASVAB the second time so your job is based on your ASVAB score. So you are able to Take it again to make your scores go up so that you had more opportunities when you get to join the Air Force. Yes, and was that difficult or is it pretty common that you can retake the test? I think it's really up to your recruiter because with my recruiter he told me that there's a lot of recruits that he doesn't like to let them free take the ASVAB because a lot of the times if you retake it your score will be lower for some reason. So he only lets his recruits that he knows will do better the second time around retake it so you were going to the recruiter the first time and that's when you had the kidney stone. Yeah. First time I went was when I had the kidney stone and then did you meet with the recruiter that day like the day I got the kidney stone. Like how did how did you go from the kidney stone to the ASVAB I guess is my question. Like when did you meet the recruiter I went. When it's probably a couple of days after I had got my kidney stone and then we kind of just asked a couple questions back and forth and then the recruiter at the time was a different recruiter than who I currently have since she's no longer in the Air Force. So she said okay come back in a few months and then we'll get stuff set up. So a few months later I went in and even though I was temporarily disqualified at the time for the kidney stone. I was still allowed to Go up and take the ASVAB. Okay, so I was still able to do some sort of processing but I just wasn't able to get to the physical part. You mentioned that the kidney stone delayed the whole process a year. So what happened? So you got your ASVAB you retook it and then were you kind of like waiting so you could get clear to pass that Maps or go to Maps? Yeah the whole time it was from October 2017 to off. Tobar 2018 that I was waiting it's a long time no way. And then you went to maps in October and even that part didn't go very smoothly. Okay, just a little bit about that. So I gotta prove to physical in October but my muff State wasn't until the beginning of November, I believe so I went did the whole you have to ramose met strips. You have to check in at a hotel the night before and I'm only 30 minutes away from our Mets. But just since I know how the This is work. And the gates can shut down and stuff. I chose to stay at the hotel and take the shuttle with all the other people going to MEPS instead of driving my personal vehicle just because if you got stuck in traffic in a personal vehicle, they won't let you process. So if you have the option to take the bus and at the hotel just take the bus because it saves you in the long run. So I checked into the hotel. They give you a meal voucher for dinner and a meal voucher. For breakfast usually have a roommate at the hotel with you and it's never a roommates not terrible have to get used to sleeping with at least 50 other girls in the same dorm. Anyways, sometimes it's someone who shipping out sometimes it's their first time at MEPS my last roommate since I've been to the hotel about four times now, she was a Navy ship or so. I didn't really talk to her because I know sometimes I just kind of want to do their own thing, especially if they're Thing and she stayed up kind of later in the night. But I had a feeling that she was a stripper and I talked to her the next morning on the bus and found out that yeah, she was a stripper. So I was like, okay, I'm glad I didn't get upset about her being on the phone late at night or anything and then we have it was a wake-up call like 3:30 in the morning. So wake up get dressed and everything go down have breakfast and we had to be on the bus by 4:45 in the morning and without tuneups around 5. Then from there you go into the building. They have you go through metal detectors. Make sure you're not bringing in Contraband in and then you go to your liaison you check in with your liaison get a tag and then you head up to the medical control desk. And from there. It's where the very very long and hurry-up-and-wait happens. So it's basically just a regular physical except in different stages. Shins so you have hearing you have blood pressure. I test that was all that we did first and we had a medical briefing which probably like 30 minutes long with filling out even more paperwork. And of course like just briefings of what to expect from apps who's in charge the commander all that and then you go back and start and then you're separated into male and female groups and that's when you do the urinalysis blood work and the infamous. Stuck walk and all of that and then the private physical so I had been cleared for everything and then we get to the physical and something else came up with the physical. So even though it was cleared for the kidney stone. There's the net another medical situation that went on and I wasn't quite following the doctor when she was giving me the physical what she said. Okay, you need to go talk to the chief medical officer about this and I was like, okay and I still thought that Was going to swear in at that point. I had talked to another Doctor Who reviewed my medical records and I was told that I was going to need a consult for a CT scan for my kidneys to make sure that I didn't have any new kidney stones even though I had already gotten scans done with my doctors MEPS still wanted their own things just to make sure which was kind of funny because I got the scans done. I did them at the military hospital that the Use the consoles for so it was kind of like it's the same thing but they needed that consult for them to feel better, which I mean that makes sense. So I went and talked to the CMO about the other thing. He was like, okay. Well, you're permanently disqualified today. You won't be able to swear in your process stops. All right now until your waiver is approved. So at that point I had already been waiting over 12 months to swearing to the delayed entry program. Akeno CMO. I'm sitting there trying. Not to cry because it's military stuff. And so I get done. I have to I had to check out with medical go back down to my liaison explain the situation and they were like, all right, we'll go ahead and get your waiver stuff sent up and we'll go from there. So I had so many roadblocks in this process because when my waiver was submitted there was the partial Permanent shutdown. So the waiver board was affected by the shutdown. So what takes about two months Max to get approved it took four months to get approved because my waiver was literally just sitting there in a pile waiting to get looked at because no one was able to be working. That's crazy. I didn't I knew that it took a while but I didn't really know what happened. That's a huge impact because I mean you're just one of many Went to map to required am a waiver and all those people were sitting there waiting and waiting and I'm sure you are like kind of near the beginning of the shutdown. So it's just got worse is like time went on. Yeah, exactly. And then what what happened to was some paperwork was filled out wrong by someone at MEPS. So my waiver got kicked back for that. So it said something like waiver sent back without further. Processing due to incomplete blah blah blah and so they sent that paperwork back up and then a month later it got kicked back again because there's more paperwork missing and I think there were like three weeks in a row. I kept getting text messages from my recruiter saying hey, they're missing this. Can you get this for me? Hey, they're missing this. I need you to get that and finally there was a time period where I wasn't hearing from him and I was like, okay, I think we have All of the paperwork and then he calls me and he says hey that's one and wants another console which was weird because usually they'll schedule of a consult the day you got disqualified. So we don't know what was going on with that. Maybe they were already caught up with other consult that I had going on. So my process was delayed once again because I had to wait for a consult. So I got consult God approved from the consult and all of that paperwork was sent up. And then once again, I didn't hear from our recruiter for a decent amount of time. So I was like, okay the last time I went to MEPS for that consult I had asked the liaison. I was like hey, how long do you think this is going to take like I totally understand that everything is a hurry up and wait with the military. So I'm not asking like you guys need to you guys need to make sure that this gets approved within 2 weeks or something. I just kind of wanted to know what time frame especially because we're dealing with other military related stuff with my husband, you know. So we have another aspect of life that we're trying to mesh into all of this processing and they were like, oh it should take about a month. So the month is smart hit and I was starting to get worried because I was like, oh my goodness. My recruiter probably got word that my waiver got denied and I'm sitting here waiting for a call and he found out five days ago way. He's too afraid to call me and tell me about tonight or something and I'm just thinking all the work. Worst case scenarios because it's just it was so important for me to get in. Meanwhile. It was also kind of a struggle because I'm seeing my husband go to work every day put on the uniform every day and I'm like only I could do that and finally out of the blue there was some sort of training or something that my husband had to do but he had the option to get out of it, but he couldn't give an answer until we knew on my waiver. So I text my recruiter was like Hey, sir, no rush or anything. I was just wondering if you maybe had an estimate of time of when my waiver would get approved and he called me and he never calls me. So I got a little scared before and I was like, oh answered the phone and I listened to his tone of voice and he didn't sound like disappointed or upset or anything. He just sounded very casual. So I was like what in the world is going on? Something's not right and he's just like EXO winter husband supposed to leave blah blah blah just asking always casual questions and I was like, oh this time and he was like, okay, so we have a decent amount of time. Then I was actually about to call you because your waiver got approved and I was so like he said it so casually that I would early was like, oh, okay, my waiver got approved and I was like, wait my waiver gotta prove a my husband was sleeping. So I like rushed into the room and shook him away. It was like why waiver got approved by Recruiters on the other end of the line laughing. My husband's just like what like I waiver was approved and he just kind of gives us goofy smile goes nice and falls back asleep. So all that waiting and then now you finally have your waiver approved. So what's the next step or what happened next? Because I know the answer but I want people that we answer what's the next step Don't from They're all I had to do was go in and sign a piece of paper at my recruiter's office. And then he got me scheduled to go back up to Mets to have an inspect which is just for females at least. It's a pregnancy test height and weight check and then like a very very mini physical like the doctor checked our back in her arms and her legs to make sure things hadn't changed and then I did all of my processing paperwork. a lot of people said it took Alit takes a long time, but it really does not take that much time and then all the fingerprinting and then it was just I think I waited around about 4 hours at one point because it was I don't even remember what they were doing. But I was waiting around for four hours for something and then at one point they came out and got me because for the Air Force at least when you're enlisting you have to do this thing called The X Factor. So you have to lift a you have to be the golden weight is 70 pounds and you have to be able to full extension it above your head. I was only able to get 40 pounds at my last MEPS visit so I've been actually working out a lot more because my recruiter said that in a few weeks, I'll be able to go back up and redo the X Factor because I currently only have 27 jobs open. So once I get up to 70 pounds, then I'll be able to I'll have at least a hundred more jobs open up. So after I did all of that and I signed my final paperwork, I went down to the control desk and did my fingerprints again and they were like All right, go ahead and come back to the desk at this time for swearing in ceremony and then you'll be good to go. And so I went up to the desk and we had a briefing where we watched a video of how to like do parade rest and stand at attention all and what the oath was and just a few of the military Justice code rules and stuff and then we walked into the ceremony room. And I thought I was going to cry and the only reason I didn't cry happy tears. It's because the MEPS Commander was swearing Us in so they told us to like be on our best behavior and everything. But if it was someone else I probably would have been crying happy tears, but it was just an amazing feeling to actually like raise my right hand and swear in and do the oath of enlistment after fighting for so long to do that. Yeah. That's really cool. I know when I saw the picture on Instagram I was so excited for So I can't even imagine what it felt like for you. Yeah, I'm really excited for you. And right now you're in the delayed entry program, right? Yes, and so you're working out and trying to get to the 70 pounds. Is there a certain job that will open up that you want to do that? You're working towards or So originally it was Munitions, but I didn't I think my as top scorer was like two points too low for Munitions. So that's not a possibility currently on a current list. My number one is Airfield management. But all I really care about is being able to do something out on the flight line with the planes whether it be Airfield management air traffic controller maintenance or something. I just really want to be out with the planes. So you're waiting to go back to maps to do the weight lift saying and then once you once you do that, will you get to pick a job and get a date for basic training? So once I do that, I'll be able to go back to my recruiters and make a new job list because currently I have what is it? I think it's a nine jobs on a list. So right now if they do a job draft once a month and If there's any jobs in there that open up and they're on your list. They'll put you in for that and you'll get a call from your creator saying hey job number blah blah blah on your list opened up. Do you want to take it and you have the option to take it or leave it? So like if job number if option number eight popped up and I want to ship out but number eight isn't my Top Choice. Obviously, I would probably deny it be like, no, you know, like give it to someone else who has a higher up on their list. For something so once I do this new jobless, it'll be that same situation and I basically just have to wait until the job draft or the way I can trip out faster is if someone is signed up for that job, but backs out of either joining the Air Force or backs out of that job or something. So right now you're in like another hurry up and wait, yeah exactly is your husband station to or set 2pcs soon, or is there anything you guys? Guys are worried about getting stationed together after your both active duty. We were actually supposed to PCS to England lost a month, but he denied the orders because he was going to have to extend for three years and it just there were a lot of things that would have made that move really hard like this enlistment process was one of them. I am choosing jobs that like, I've been going online and looking at what Jobs have Certain basis because there are some jobs that are only got like five bases. So I'm going through and choosing the jobs that say available at almost every base or something like that because you really want to my husband really doesn't want to leave this space because we have a home here now and this place is really starting to feel like home and he has his three-year Mark will be this September and he gets out of September next year. So it's really looking like we won't be pcsing but if we do it would most likely be due to my job once I get out of tech school and because he's Security Forces you would be able to basically move wherever I go because every base has Security Forces it maybe I get at this new Duty station a couple months ahead of him while they're trying to figure out a spot for him at that base. But because of his career field, there's a very good Chance that we'll never be separated unless it's for a deployment or training. Well, I'm really excited for you and I can't wait to continue to watch you on your military journey. And like I said when I saw the picture on Instagram, I was really super excited because the last time I had talked to you was November when you had needed the waiver and then I when was that that was April when you posted the picture on Instagram. Yeah, the end of April. Yeah, so it was a long For a long time so I have one last question for you though. What would you tell girls who are like you considering joining the military? I would say just go for it. If it's really what you wanted to do, even though it took me like 18 months total to actually swear into just the delayed entry program to me. It was worth it. And every person that that I've talked to that is currently in the military. They all said that Oh, they wouldn't have waited that long. But if it's really what you want to do wait do whatever I do everything that your recruiter wants you to do do what that's wants you to do and just go on with your regular life while you're doing all this that's really good advice. Thank you so much for your time and for talking a little bit about what your experience has been like to join the military. I think we don't always remember what it was like to go through our process of meh. And so it's really cool to hear your story as you're going through it and maybe we'll do another interview to talk to you about basic which is BMT and your tech school and like a year or two. So thank you so much for your time. And that's all I have. 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Use the code Airmen to Mom and save 15% That's Wilco Supply co.com with the code Airmen the number two mom to save 15% now, let's get back to the show. Thank you for listening to this episode of women of the military make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the Amazing Stories I have with women who have served in our military. Did you love the show? Don't forget to leave a review. Finally. If you are a woman who has served or is currently serving in the military. Please email me at Airmen to Mom at gmail.com so I can set you up to be on a future episode of women of the military.
Are you considering joining the military? Do you wonder what the process is like? My guest this week is at Basic Military Training right now and will be graduating very soon. But before she left for training she told me about her path to military life. It certainly wasn't easy for her to get to where she is today. My guest today in Mariah Hammond. Mariah is a military spouse. I had the opportunity to interview Mariah for my book, Women of the Military, when she was looking into joining the military. And I am excited to follow up with her as her journey to military life has not been easy. I wanted to talk about how much time it takes to join the military and some of the challenges people face while working to join the military. Can the words of a song have an impact on your life? Growing up Mariah remembers listening to Toby Keith sing about the Red White and Blue and it made her want to join the military. There were other factors that led her on the path she is on today, but she can always remember how it started with a song. She met her now husband in high school. They were really good friends and when she told him about looking into the military he decided to look into his own military career and joined the Air Force. Time went by and eventually they got married and she moved to Lackland AFB where the Air Force does Basic Military Training (BMT) and she was inspired again to join the military. When she went to meet with the recruiter, she ended up having a kidney stone. This immediately disqualified her from taking the military physical for a year. She took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and waited for time to pass so she could go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for her military medical physical. At MEPS another medical issue came up that required a waiver. It felt as if joining the military wouldn’t happen. And after a year of waiting to swear into the delayed entry program she felt like her dream of serving was falling apart. Months passed and finally her waiver was approved and she swore into the delayed entry program. Even though it took almost two years from when she first met with a recruiter to the point where she actually joined the Air Force, she said it was worth it. Hopefully I can do a follow up interview with Mariah next season to get caught up on what boot camp and tech school were like and what has happened since this interview took place. Mentioned in this episode: Women of the Military Book Are you considering joining the military? Check out my free guide: A Girls Guide to Military Life to help you prepare for the military. 