One thing that I have truly learned about myself is that the world doesn’t owe you anything, you must fight for yourself. When I joined the U.S Navy at the age of 20, my only goal was to travel to get away from my problems. However, as time went on, I started to enjoy being a part of the U.S Navy and wanted to do 20 years. I dedicated my life to my military career; however, I only made it 9 years due to some health issues. As a female in the military, I felt as If I had something to prove. When it was time for me to separate from the Navy, I felt like the Navy turned its back on me. It made me feel as if they did not care about my health and that I was using my knee problems to try and get off the ship, when in fact I ended up medically separated. I was hoping I could just get surgery on the knee and then it would be all better, however that wasn’t the case. During my separation process, I was transferred to a temporary processing unit, no one from my command reached out to me to see if I was okay or to offer any advice to help me transition back into civilian life. Instead, it was like I no longer existed. I felt myself becoming depressed and sad. No one truly knew how much I wanted to stay in the U.S Navy as it was truly something that saved me. I desperately needed that structure and wanted to continue my career, however, I just couldn’t. I was disappointed in myself, my body, and the Navy family I thought I was a part of. After my separation from the U.S Navy, I found myself angry, drinking more, and having no direction. It was hard for me to find another job once I separated, and it seemed as if there was nowhere to turn. Eventually, I started seeing a therapist at the VA Hospital. I was suffering from PTSD related to the separation anxiety from the Navy. PTSD tends to go undiagnosed for a lot of service members. I would think to myself, I have not “gone to war” or “sustained a significant injury” therefore I can’t have PTSD. With my EDD in Family and Marriage Counseling, I would like to help veteran work on their mental health. Since I have separated from the Navy, I have had 4 of my shipmates lose their life to their own hands and thoughts. I understand too well how easy it is to get trapped by your thoughts and emotions and it’s even easier to give in to those thoughts when you feel as if you are the only one dealing with them. So, I want to be there, I want my active duty and veteran family to know that they are not alone, and they are worth it.