Golf Clubs and Lessons for Felicia Miller, U.S. Navy & Army Veteran Felicia Miller

A woman with a warm voice but strength of steel, Felicia summarized her military service in her own words:

"Joining the military was just one of my dreams. I was born and raised in New York City, a city of big dreams. I wanted to do so many things: sing on Broadway, dance with the Rockettes, or do the boring stuff like my peers and go to college. My grandfather served in the United States Air Force with the aspirations of flying fighter jets. Of course that did not happen, because of the color of his skin. I always admired him for advocating for himself and his fellow airmen that looked like him. Unfortunately, sickness fell upon him, and was honorably discharged.

This was a legacy I wanted to carry on, the legacy of advocating for men and women who looked like me but were never given the opportunity as others were. I joined the United States Navy (I know, not the Air Force) as an Electrical Engineer. I served in Desert Storm in 1991 and toured Iran, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Virgin Islands, Norfolk, VA, and Jacksonville, FL. I gave the Navy 11 years of not just my life but my five children's lives as well. I missed birthdays, first steps, school recitals, and much more. 

At the end of my contract with the Navy, I desperately wanted to spend more time with my family. However, housing, jobs, and security were not available for military personnel transitioning out of the service. My husband served one contract and got out of the military to be with the kids. So, I joined the Army one year after being honorably discharged from the Navy. At the time that I joined, the only engineering job available was combat engineer (women were not allowed to do that at the time). I became a Chemical Operation Specialist (HAZMAT); I tested for anthrax, ricin, and other chemical nuclear agents; this was done in a Level A suite with the SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) tank on.

During my seventeen years in the Army, I served in OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan), OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom, Kuwait), Ft. Leonardwood, Ft. Sill, Ft. Dix, Ft. Totten, Ft. McCoy, and Ft. Hood. I was a Drill Instructor for two cycles. I was medically retired in 2017 for having Ovarian Cancer in 2017.

I want to consider myself "lucky" because I had a plethora of support through the counseling services and did not experience any backlash for seeking counseling. I am thankful for my experiences, both good and not so good. If I had to do it all over again… I would raise my hand again… and again."