DCSA Employees Share Military Service Stories at ‘Cultural Conversations for Veterans Fireside Chat’ [Image 4 of 5]

UNITED STATES

11.29.2023

Courtesy Photo

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

July Lam – a Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) special agent assigned to the Tacoma Field Office and based in Alaska – was one of five panel members engaged in a question-and-answer session as military, federal employees and defense contractors tuned in across the country via Adobe Connect during a the DCSA Cultural Conversations for Veterans Fireside Chat on Nov. 9.

Lam, an Air Force veteran, recounted that she was looking for opportunity and adventure upon enlisting in the armed forces.

“I’m from a small town in Virginia and there really wasn't much opportunity there. The military offered an opportunity and I wanted everything that came with it – adventure, discipline, meeting people and travel as well as education benefits and security,” said Lam, pointing out that those who left her town for the military or elsewhere usually didn't come back. “A lot of my depictions of military life came from the media. I watched reruns of MASH and China Beach and even shows like the X-Files that portrayed mysterious interactions with the military that I found fascinating. I realized that was not the reality of what the military would be like most of the time, especially if it's not during wartime but it was definitely interesting to me. The adventure and learning about different cultures as well as the teamwork were depicted somewhat accurately in those shows. So, once I decided to join, I used my recruiter to start experiencing knowledge as much as possible to prepare.”

• Date Taken: 11.29.2023
• Date Posted: 11.29.2023 15:49
• Photo ID: 8142735
• VIRIN: 231128-D-D0467-1023
• Resolution: 152x190
• Size: 8.35 KB
• Location: US