Well I guess a risk that I took that I do not regret would be the factor that I chose to join the United States Army, even though I had the brain and I had received a full 4 year ride to NMSU. Nah, I had to go the way I chose when I was 16, which is when I signed up for the DEP Program or Delayed-Entry Program, which was a tactic to get younger soldiers ahead of time. If you are wondering what I wanted to study at NMSU it was Biomedical Engineering like my dad. Instead I chose Cable Systems Installer/Maintainer, even when the recruiters were surprised I got such a high score in Field Artillery. Unfortunately, yes I did go overseas and get raped not once, but twice. Now that is something I regret and hate, but I would still go into the military because that was my calling.
I made my family proud, but I wish that my uncle would have seen me graduate from Basic, but at least I added another Nelson to the history of my legacy that does not include anyone else. Some people think that I have it easy, but I have gone through things that I would never wish on anyone. Yes I was sexually assaulted but this is not something that would detour me from serving my country and tribe. I am literally leading the way with women Veterans coming up in my family! I actually have two cousins that are now in the United States Marine Corp. Other than that it feels like a big responsibility being the first female Veteran, but then again that is probably why my grand-mother named me Female Head Warrior. I try to bring awareness to the fact that there are many women and men that have gone through MST and it needs to stop. For any and all oof you that go to the military, make sure you are always on guard, because you never know and nothing is impossible. Stay safe!!!
MisterJkr 
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