I Got Kicked Out of the Military for Being Suicidal. Here’s Why I Never Told Anyone.

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Once upon a time I was a photojournalist for the United State Navy.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I just wanted to get out.

I wanted to get away from my abusive family.

I wanted to forget everything that ever happened.

I wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over.

And honestly I didn’t have many options.

Based on the circumstances, the Navy seemed like the best deal a girl like me could get.

I was emancipated at sixteen and lived with a foster family until I left for the Navy.

According to the state of Virginia my parents were unfit to be parents.

After a year of mandated family therapy and social services raiding our house with counselors my parents released custody rights of me and I moved out.

I considered college but it was too expensive.

I didn’t have boku money. And nobody else was paying for it.

A military recruiter came to our high school and pumped up how awesome it was to join the Navy.

“See the world.

Get your college paid for.

Make life-long friends.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

It got me thinking. I was curious.

I walked into the recruitment office and asked for more information.

Before I knew it I was taking a test to measure my skill set. From there we would see what jobs I could qualify for.

“Photojournalist?! That’s a rare job to get! And one of the best” he said.

I could be a photojournalist for the United States Navy and get paid for it.

I could literally see the world and just take photos and write stories.