So, Who is Jane?

I am Jane. That is not my real name, but the name of my idol (GI Jane, as played by Demi Moore) when I entered active duty. I grew up with three brothers and I was tough. When they asked at MEPS what I wanted to do in the Army, I had one answer for them: "I want to join the infantry.  But since that's not possible, I want to ensure that I'll have $40K in the bank for college when I get out. Tell me what my options are."

So I spent four years in an MOS which was half dream job and half ninth circle of hell - Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Operations Specialist. When I got to off-road in my M56 Coyote and run circles around the artillery/infantry guys, it was like heaven for me! But when it was time to don the MOPP gear and decontaminate vehicle after vehicle out in the desert.... well I'm sure you can imagine scrubbing your car mid-summer in a ski-suit and halloween mask! It was not a good time.

I served with the 82nd Airborne for a while, then moved on down Ardennes to 101st Chemical Co at Fort Bragg. Deployments included lots of training around the U.S. (this was before we were at war) and then over to Kuwait after 9/11. I served from July 1998 to July 2002, and would have reenlisted if I could've.  My service was... well... an experience. I'm sure more and more of that will come out as the blogging continues.

So today, I write as a disabled female OEF/OIF veteran, involved in the world of veteran politics and passionate about the issues - particularly those that female veterans deal with. I have a five year old son, live in the DC area, and my neighbors are always very surprised to learn that I am a veteran, much less that I am a vocal veteran's advocate! Nobody passing me on the street would ever have a clue who I was or what kind of experiences I've had, and I like that I am able to have that anonymity. In fact, it's time to get the little guy off to his basketball game as I write - so more on my military experience later!