This blog series – Military Monday – is to highlight the many women that help make the military community a great place to be. Some women are experienced, some are new and hesitant, but we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves, and it benefits everyone when we support each other!
For this Monday’s feature I interviewed my good friend Aurora! We met in Hawaii when our husbands worked together and I’m so grateful for the short time we got to spend together.
1. Tell me about yourself…
I am a colorful Puertorican woman who’s retired from 20 years of active military service. I have 9 children and 4 grandchildren. I always enjoy a good laugh and I’m very true & loyal to family & friendships.
I know myself to be sensitive to the needs of others and believe I have the gift, sometimes to an almost psychic extent, of understanding the emotional needs of my companion and meeting him with his own innate optimism. I’ve been described as the kind of person of whom it is said, “They always make you feel better for having been with them.” I am a very social human being. I loathe cruelty, viciousness and vulgarity and detest conflict between people, so I do my best to cooperate and compromise with everyone around.
Michael has been in the army for 14 yrs and we’ve been together for ten years.
My favorite duty station was Fort Buchanon Puerto Rico. Because it’s my home. Everything I love was right there and you can’t beat the weather or the cost of living on active duty pay. It’s one of the secret army paradise locations.
For me it’s the fact that I was able to raise my children as an active duty single soldier without help for the bulk of my enlistment, which made me a much better person in every aspect. Even though none of my kids are in Yale or Harvard they are successful in their goals and overall happy productive men & women of society.
5. What’s the last book you read?
Fine Things by Danielle Steel
It’s an extreme lifestyle change. You have to become more open minded and accepting of new things. Accepting things as they come, and most importantly never put all your eggs in one basket. It’s important to network and read up on everything that surrounds or affects you. Attend FRG meetings without any expectations or prejudice. You are the foundation that makes or breaks your family.
Absolutely. Just before I retired I was pregnant and it was a pretty intense time. So I cut everything off and just focused on my pregnancy and my kids.
8. If you knew then what you knew now… would you have done anything differently?
Yes I wouldn’t have procrastinated on my higher education (Masters).
9. In two words how would you describe your experience with the military?
Finally Retired
10. What is the worst part about moving?
The “not knowing” and the fact that you’re finally settled in and steady and now you have to up root and start all over. How it can be more of a financial burden than a “smooth transition” and also how severely children are affected academically by it.
11. What advice can you give about the ins and outs of PCSing?
Plan ahead and look into your new location as soon as you know. Make contact with agencies you will need prior to your arrival. Save at least 3 paychecks worth for your uncovered transition expenses. Contact your bank and inform them of your move. Ensure you complete a forwarding address with the postal office 1 month prior to your departure.
12. What is your favorite Army memory?
While on Drill Status my husband and I made lifelong friendships that are amazing. That family is so tight and perfect I wouldn’t trade that entire experience for any other in my entire life.
I believe I have good critical faculty and I’m able to stand back and look impartially at matters which call for an impartial judgment to be made on them. But do not tend to tolerate argument from anyone who challenges my opinions, for once I have reached a conclusion, its truth seems to me self-evident, and among my faults I have an impatience of criticism and a greed for approval. But I believe my character is on the whole balanced, diplomatic and even tempered.
My cast of mind is artistic rather than intellectual, though I am usually too moderate and well balanced to be avant garde in any artistic endeavor. I believe I have good perception and observation and critical ability, with which I’m able to view my own efforts as well as those of others, it gives my work integrity.
Nice interview. She is a very special person. I know because i was married to her when i was in the military also. We stay in communication and i believe that she said and described herself perfectly. I’m always will be proud of her and her achievement.
This very beautiful story – the images are so enjoyable and reading over such great post!!
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