Legal officer’s commitment to service gives back to U.S.

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

11.01.2013

Story by Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett 

455th Air Expeditionary Wing   

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - The United States gave Capt. Dimple Nolly’s parents a chance to provide a better life for their family once they immigrated from India to America.

“Although my parents faced adversity, they remained focused on their goal, which ultimately inspired me to always pursue the best, do my best and push for the best,” the Houston native said. “I joined the Air Force so I could give back to the greatest nation on Earth that has provided so much for my family and asked for nothing in return.”

Nolly said she does her best in the Air Force because there is no better way to give back to the greatest country than to serve and honor the uniform.

“It's a phenomenal honor and privilege to serve in the U.S. Air Force,” said Nolly, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing deputy staff judge advocate. “In the U.S., you can do, and be, and live with extraordinary freedom. You can be successful if you just try.”

Nolly is keenly aware more than 300 million people experience that freedom every day.

She said she’s accepted the challenges she’s faced each day because she’s fighting for more than the security of America.

“We are fighting to secure the dreams of people around the world who desire to live by the ideals of the U.S., the land of opportunity and freedom,” said Nolly, who’s deployed here from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. “I’m reminded of the sheer guts and courage my parents had when they came to this country in their early 20s; for that chance when I hear accents from our airmen who have done the same thing.

Nolly said military service often requires her to reflect on the courage and integrity she needs to uphold fairness in the profession of arms even if it means making a tough decision.

“My service allows me to be committed to providing professional and independent legal counsel to the airmen in the Air Force,” Nolly continued. “My commitment is based on a high work ethic, which I maintain by ensuring the enlisted members in my office are fully equipped and trained to become better advocates of justice; by ensuring commanders and first sergeants have accurate legal advice on all matters ranging from maintaining good order and discipline to operational readiness and ensuring the Air Force has the legal capabilities to execute on our mission.”

Furthermore, serving in the Air Force has allowed her to maintain professional relationships amazing people who continue to inspire her to reach new heights.

“It's a rare opportunity to wear the uniform and be part of an organization whose members are willing to and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for an ideal, for freedom,” she said.

Nolly reflected on those she sees serving around her and realizes giving back to her country is not exclusive to herself and pointed out the other sacrifices Airmen are making here.

“There’s the 20-year-old airman first class who launches missions with absolute confidence in his abilities as a Crew Chief; there’s the fellow captain gearing up, doing a final inspection of his aircraft, and blending into the sky to defend this base,” she continued. “There’s the fire team loading equipment onto themselves and crossing outside the wire; the medical professions who have precision, skill and tenacity to preserve life; there’s the leadership with the compassion, the concern and the dedication to lead the people and complete the mission and there’s the family and friends who love us and the American ideals that we left behind to make sure freedom prevails.”

Through her deployment to the Bagram area of responsibility, Nolly has realized this is the pinnacle of what Airmen do.

“Less than 10 percent of the U.S. population is allowed to serve their country and even a smaller percentage deploys to the AOR to see it firsthand,” she said. “All of our life experience, our military training, the learning, the responsibility, the trials and triumphs, interacting with other career fields and understanding each piece of the mission: Everything we do at home station leads to this. There is no other point of our existence than to come here, be a professional warrior and epitomize the never-ending fight for freedom.”

I am humbled that anyone would be interested in my experience when there are so many other airmen who are more worthy, who are more dedicated and who inspire me to continue pursuing opportunity and freedom.

• Date Taken: 11.01.2013
• Date Posted: 10.31.2013 23:26
• Story ID: 116078
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF
• Hometown: SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, RP, DE
• Hometown: GENEVA, AL, US
• Hometown: HOUSTON, TX, US
• Hometown: LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, AR, US