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    Army Provides NCO with New Sense of Normal

    Army Provides NCO with New Sense of Normal

    Courtesy Photo | 150912-A-ZZ999-001 OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea – Former 35th Air Defense...... read more read more

    OSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

    05.06.2016

    Story by Staff Sgt. Kelly Carlton 

    35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

    During a speech in Washington, D.C., March 2, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama encouraged female veterans to tell their stories. “All of you learned how to build a team and lead others under pressure, and complete any mission in front of you no matter what it takes,” she said. “See, that's why it's important that you tell your own stories. Our girls, our daughters and granddaughters, need to hear them,” Obama said. This article is part of a five-part series highlighting female veterans serving with the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, a Patriot Missile unit tasked to defend the skies over South Korea. Their stories are unique and empowering, a testament to the strength and diversity Army women bring to the profession of arms. Editor's Note.

    OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – The Army is full of people with diverse backgrounds and different childhood experiences but the U.S. Army develops its ranks with consistency and trusted battle rhythms – things Sgt. Julienne Ashby grew to depend upon once she entered those ranks.

    Ashby, a property book specialist who recently departed Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, and spent her childhood coping with a Family who suffered from addiction. Joining the U.S. Army was a means to make enough money to take care of herself and help her mother, who by the time Ashby graduated high school, was sober and trying to rebuild her life.

    “At the time, I wanted to join to take care of my mom,” Ashby said. “I was in my first year of college and working two jobs because my mom lost her job as a teacher.”

    She tried to join the National Guard so she could stay close to home but it just wasn’t going to be enough to make a difference.

    “I didn’t want to leave her but there were times I couldn’t pay car insurance or even get gas to get to work and school. It was never-ending and I just couldn’t keep doing it,” she said. “The recruiter told me about the active-first program so I told him to enlist me as soon as possible.”

    Ashby, who married her high school sweetheart shortly after joining the service, didn’t realize that normalcy was what she was seeking in her life.

    “People tease me because all I want is normal. When I joined, I knew I wasn’t going to stay in forever but I went to some schools, did the board and got promoted,” Ashby said. “In the Army, that’s the normal thing to do and I was looking for normal. I found my normal in the Army.”

    Getting married and having a son are more steps in Ashby’s quest for a normal life.

    “A lot of people tell me there is no such thing as normal but all I want is a normal life,” Ashby said. “It seems funny but I don’t want a lot of things. My husband and I would like the whole “house, car and dog” thing but in my mind, I don’t want my son to ever need something and not get it. Just the normal stuff parents do for their kids.”

    Another part of becoming “normal” for Ashby while she was on active duty evolved from doing Cross Fit.

    “I started doing Cross Fit not long after I had my son in an attempt to lose baby weight,” she said. “My friend had a daughter two months before I had my son and told me she started doing it. I heard many people get hurt doing the exercises but my friend told me it was because people go too fast and don’t follow their coach’s direction.”

    Ashby was convinced and gave it try at a weekend program near Fort Campbell, Kentucky where she and her husband were stationed at the time.

    “I have been doing Cross Fit since then and got really into it since arriving in Korea and I plan to continue as a civilian,” she said. “My husband purchased some gym equipment so I almost have to continue since everything I need will be right there in the garage. Plus my son thinks it’s cool that mommy works out so hard.”

    Although Ashby relished in all that was normal about being on active duty, after having her son, there was one aspect of the Army which helped her decide a long-term career didn’t fit into her new definition of a normal life.

    “I had been on the fence about getting out or staying on active duty when I found out I was going to South Korea for a year. My son had just turned one and I was about to leave him,” Ashby said. “The second I got on that plane I made my decision. I never wanted to have to get on a plane, on a bus, on an anything to leave my son again. It was the toughest thing I have ever done.”

    Many people may have grown up with a quiet, predictable life and seek adventure as an adult. Ashby had all the turmoil she could handle as a child and now seeks normalcy.

    “The Army is normal. I will take the normalcy I have grown to depend on with me; the predictability to provide for your Family without many issues,” Ashby said.

    Being a mother echoed some lessons Ashby learned while on active duty and she plans to pass them on to her son.

    “There is something more important than just you. I think I knew that and it became more instilled when I became a noncommissioned officer with Soldiers,” she said. “Then I had my son and it wasn’t about me anymore. In my family it was always about them, what they needed. That’s not normal and I don’t think like them. I want my son to strive to be like the normal I found in the Army.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.06.2016
    Date Posted: 05.06.2016 03:53
    Story ID: 197485
    Location: OSAN AIR BASE, KR
    Hometown: CASA GRANDE, AZ, US
    Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US

    Web Views: 306
    Downloads: 0

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