Atonia’s Military Life

Intro to my life

So, if you know me, well, you’ll get to know me. I am known for being different. I say this because these stories will be told like my memories and my mind at times scattered and out of order, and I will speak to you as a friend, a lot of exclamation, pauses and speaking “Spanglish” at times, but always being honest in my truth. Watch out people I have an audience and platform now. 

I don’t have too many pictures of me, I was always too busy taking pictures of others and we didn’t have smart phones back then, we had cameras, used disposable cameras and rolls of film.

I’m not going to be linear on my time line. I see things differently and recall them the same way. I talk about my family, my experiences and my life. 

I didn’t really get a chance to document my entire military experience or life. I was too busy trying to keep things squared away and maintain my small family. I was half of a dual military couple for most of my service. Running a mostly single household those years were taxing, I was late all the time. I spent most days paying for my tardiness, that was my biggest flaw as a soldier. You couldn’t beat me at anything else. Expert in weapons, at PT (Physical Fitness Training) I was a “Stud-ette”, constantly scoring above expectations, my peers and most male soldiers. I was an Air Assault female soldier. Air Assault school being the toughest school females are allowed to attend. Got the ERBs (Enlisted Record) to show for it. My military knowledge and history were outstanding, I won a board or two, even went to BNOC (Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course) this course you need to advance to the rank of Staff Sergeant. I never did get my promotion, and in my stories, I’ll tell you why.

Most of these are from another person’s view, if I’m in them. The dates aren’t exact because I often forgot to set the dates on my camera, yes back then we had to set the dates, not just point an iPhone or smart phone. I grew up without those, hell when I was a kid a pager was IT!  The kind that doctors use, not even the Motorola. Anyways.

Notice the difference when I’m not. LOL

There’s a story behind each picture and I’ll tell them to you, here. 

Fall 2005.

This is one of my favorites. I’m in BDU’s (Battle Dress Uniform) I loved those, the original camos. I loved the olive greens and brown. One of the best looking, uniforms I think. They remind me of the toy soldiers and the most memorable Army get up. It was the first uniform I received when I entered my military family. 

I’m here with my first born on her first day of school. First grade at Ft. Hood, Texas.

My short hair was growing back and so was my baby’s. she had cut her hair one night with some old school scissors. She said she wanted to have short hair like “Mami”. Ai, Dios Mio, So, it softened my reaction. Noticing how close to the scalp she had cut, she had to get a “Baldy”. I ran those clippers through her genie ponytail that remained on the top of her hair, patches everywhere especially the front. She cried as I buzz her head bald. By the time this picture was taken by her father, a month had passed and she had her first day at a new school. I got her some new studs to go with her pixie cut and she rocked it out.