In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, we sit down with a remarkable woman who served both before and after 9/11. She shares her experiences as a Damage Controlman, the challenges she faced in a pre-repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military, and her journey of navigating life and service on her own terms.

Prepare to be inspired by Jenifer Groves' raw and unfiltered experience. Faced with childhood trauma, Jenifer chose faith and resilience to guide her path. Jenifer touches on life before and after 9/11, shedding light on the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy and its impact on LGBTQ+ service members like herself. As she recounts her hardships, including a "marriage of convenience" that was more necessary than convenient, and traumatic separations from her children, Jenifer offers crucial insights into the unique challenges military women face. Her candid advice to women considering a military career— "Don’t lose your voice"—is a powerful call to action, encouraging listeners to champion the stories and struggles of military women. With grit, she balanced motherhood and deployments, raising two children who later joined the military.

Resources:

https://modernmilitary.org/programs/lgbtq-advocacy/

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If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or having thoughts of suicide contact the

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