Full Circle 🦑⚓️

Every squid has their “Why Did I Join the Navy” story. Mine certainly reflects my impulsive nature. I was 19, finished with high school but not ready for college, working jobs that were fine if you were a student but clearly not career positions. It was my day off, I was watching T.V., and up popped a recruitment commercial for the U.S. Marine Corps. At this time in my life, I was fit and athletic. Running 6 miles per day, lifting, adult gymnastics, dancing, step aerobics (if you know you know), etc. So that was it, in the span of a 30-second commercial I decided to join the Marine Corps.

The next day I found the closest Marine Recruiting Station in my area and off I went. When I arrived, they were closed for chow. To know me, especially in my youth, is to know that patience is not my forte. While waiting for the Marine Recruitment station to re-open, I ran errands where I stumbled upon the Navy Recruiting Station (here’s looking at you Crenshaw). They were not closed for chow. In the span of four days, I took the ASVAB (aptitude test), chose a rating (navy occupation), signed my contract, and took my enlistment oath. Two months later I shipped off to boot camp and the rest is history.

My time in the navy produced highs, lows, and sea stories for days. There were good, bad, and hard times. Those stories are for another day. But through it all, the one thing I am most proud of in my life is my naval service, even though I’d never have admitted it at the time. Therefore, I was thrilled when I was booked for a VA PSA addressing mental health. It was truly a full circle moment for me, especially as I was not Jane Navy. I look back on my naval service with pride and fondness, but it was far from smooth sailing while I was in the thick of it. To be able to revisit my naval service all these years later as an actress is a moment I’ll never forget. I’m extremely grateful to the production company that cast me in this project and provided me that moment. I have no lines and it is a quick spot, but it was a nice story to add my naval service memory book.