It is challenging to be a woman in a leadership position in the military, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. We get a chance to see how Gwendolyn overcame the challenges she faced especially when she made the switch from Enlisted to Officer through Officer Candidate School.
Listen to the full episode here.
Military Career and Financial Peace
Gwendolyn Jules served in the US Army from November 1990 to December 2012, started out as an enlisted Private (E2) 71L-Administrative Specialist and retired a Major (O4) Logistician. She became a mother four months after retiring, got her MBA, and began researching how to have an online information marketing business so she could have the flexibility to travel with my husband who was still in the military. Currently, she produces a weekly podcast called “Manage Money Build Wealth” where she talks about how her military career was her mode of transportation to reach Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE). Now she wants to help other women reach FIRE and have peace along their financial journey.
The Challenge of Officer Candidate School
In this episode, we talk about her joining the Army Reserves while in high school because she needed money for school clothes. She started out in the Reserves but was so bored she decided to skip drill which the military did not appreciate. They gave her the option to go on active duty. She decided why not go active duty, she had been working at McDonald’s and needed to get a fresh start.
Eventually, she ended up going overseas. Even though she was overseas she continued to work to obtain her degree. When she reached the rank of E-6 and determining that becoming an officer was the next right step. She was challenged through the training and being singled out while attending Officer Candidate School (OCS). That training was hard, but she didn’t quit and became an officer.
Time as an Officer
She also deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. She was planning to go to Korea for her last assignment and then transition out of the military. And that is what happened, but while in Korea she met her husband. They got married and she retired out of the military to become a mom.
She tells young women to join the military if they are interested in it, but they should also realize the benefits come at a cost and the mission always comes first. If you are not ready to do the mission you should not join the military.
Connect with Gwendolyn:
- Podcast Manage Money Build Wealth
- http://managemoneybuildwealth.libsyn.com/website
- Instagram
Mentioned in this episode:
Transitioning isn’t the same – Episode 59
Joining the Army While Still in High School – Episode 43
Enlisted to Officer (Danielle Kilian) – Episode 46
Would you like to be a guest or know someone who might want to share their story for the Women of the Military Podcast? You can sign up here and I will be in touch with you shortly.
Do you want to support Women of the Military?? Check out my new Patreon site and become a monthly supporter!!!
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for Women of the Military Podcast, check out my sponsorship package here.
