Why would you choose the Navy over the other branches of the U.S. military?
How can a military member deal with homesickness while deployed?
How do service members maintain their mental health while deployed?
In this episode, we'll learn why Mac chose the Navy over pursuing culinary arts in college, how she dealt with her mental health concerns throughout her deployment, and how she learned to perform various tasks through military programs.
About the Guest:
Mac has been a Navy Corpsman for the past six years. She was born in the Philippines but spent her childhood in Boston. She does physical therapy in the Navy, enjoys snorkeling, is an excellent cook, participates in CrossFit training, and has a strong desire to travel.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:

Know how to use your hobbies as a guide for choosing your career
Learn to have a second family by befriending colleagues throughout your military service assignment.
Witness how to overcome mental health struggles the military way

Check out these episode highlights:

02:28 - Mac's reason for joining the military
05:17 - Her family’s reaction to her joining the military
07:47 - Sports she was into and how being athletic helped her at the boot camp
08:36 - Her boot camp experience
09:38 - Kept the friendship intact
10:35 - How the military is her second family
11:01 - Thoughts about quitting the service
11:08 - Missing family gatherings and other special occasions
11:26 - Why service members can't just leave work
12:03 - How long did her homesickness last
13:25 - How technology helped her during covid
14:19 - Importance of letters at the boot camp
15:32 - First duty station; A-School
16:07 - Taking Physical Therapy in A-School
19:01 - Culinary as her first career choice
22:04 - Moving forward through self love
23:08 - Physical, Emotional & Spiritual Journey: The Military Way
25:29 - How she adapted from the military life
29:48 - Seeking professional help
30:47 - Mental health struggles in the military
31:37 - Good support system
31:51 - Advice: There are other resources
32:57 - Knowing what to do but don't do it
33:28 - Needs from the society
35:09 - A look into the future: Mac 10 years from now
36:41 - How service members are not so different from civilians
37:25 - Who can join the military
38:37 - How military programs can teach you how to do things

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Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify today.
DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the U.S. Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.

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