Roger Linn served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Vietnam War. He took advantage of his G.I. Bill benefits to become a lawyer, eventually working for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C. “While in D.C. (home of the Pentagon, of course) I realized I missed the Navy, wearing a uniform, and serving my country,” he says. So, he returned to the Navy as a Judge Advocate General Corp (JAGC) officer and worked as a Navy lawyer for 28 years.

What motivated you to serve?
I initially had a low draft number, so in 1971—after graduating from college—rather than being involuntarily drafted into the Army, I voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy. My dad and my wife’s dad served in the Navy during WWII. I was proud to serve in the military—although this was during the Vietnam War and serving in the military often subjected one to harassment.

What do you appreciate most about our military?
Being able to serve my country and showing that service by the uniform I proudly wore. My children grew up proud that their dad was a Naval officer. I also appreciate the camaraderie of fellow soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen. In any meeting of people, business or casual, if I meet another service member, we instantly have something in common.

What was the hardest part about your time in the military?
The eight months I served on board the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier. Being away from home for that amount of time and spending weeks at a time at sea on board a giant floating airport can be difficult—but it was our duty to do so, and we did what we had to do.

Favorite quote?
“The captain of a ship is responsible for everything that goes right and everything that goes wrong on board.”
­—Unknown

Deidre Trudeau dedicated six years of service to the United States Air Force. “I’m often thanked for my service, but it is I who have our country to thank,” she says. As a professional mixed media artist, she gives back to her fellow veterans as a teaching artist for California Veterans in the Arts, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Veteran Artist Program.

What motivated you to serve?
I grew up near an Air National Guard base in Massachusetts and knew quite a few members, including my older brother. It looked like a worthy thing to check out and embark on. I also appreciated the opportunity to serve our country and be among those who salute united in the commitment to protect.

How does your military experience affect your current job and/or life?
The military doesn’t necessarily nurture an artist’s heart but helps give you the grit to pursue a solo enterprise and make a small business happen. Fortunately, I took advantage of the Military Tuition Assistance Program for activated reserve/guard service members [and graduated with] a degree in art. I’m currently a professional artist, both in graphic design and fine art, and also own Brush of Creativity (brushofcreativity.com).

Favorite quote?
“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.”
—James Stephens

MSgt. Jennifer Newman, CAANG-Ret. served in the military for “20 years, six months, and six days,” she proudly states. Though she may be out of uniform today, she continues to serve her community and was even honored with the 2021 El Dorado County Veteran of the Year Award.

What motivated you to serve?
I grew up in a very structured environment and always found that the [military] lifestyle suited my personality and offered what I needed to live my life as I still do today: with structure, order, respect, and purpose.

What do you appreciate most about our military?
Brotherhood (“love of country”)—people, both men and women, coming together for a common alliance to protect our country. The military teaches people to “prepare” and not just “react” to war or life. You must have a plan and a purpose to survive.

What was the hardest part about your time in the military?
Basic training! I was a 25-year-old college graduate and a "master of life" (so I thought) when I enlisted in the military.  I describe basic training with the saying: "If you can't run with big dogs then stay on the porch." Basic training isn’t for everyone; the training instructor’s job is to weed out the weak and build up the strong. I learned more about myself in those eight weeks than I ever thought existed.

Favorite quote?
“What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog."—Dwight Eisenhower

Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews was one of 18 marines wounded in the Kabul airport suicide bombing during the U.S. Military’s evacuations from Afghanistan in August of 2021. Today, he strives to do his best and serve others because he knows he has “an example to set for [his] friends and those impacted with the severity of what happened in Afghanistan.”

What motivated you to serve?
At a young age I saw what evil people could do to innocent lives close to me. So I wanted to be the one to put an end to that and help those less fortunate. Seeing the way my mother handled adversity positively within our own family showed me that I could be successful regardless of any personal struggles. I knew I had the mental and physical capacity to do what was necessary in a combat arms career field. I couldn’t let others risk their own lives and make sacrifices if I wasn’t willing to risk my own.

What do you appreciate most about our military?
The opportunity presented for teamwork, leadership, self-growth, and camaraderie. I went to middle school and high school next to a United States Air Force base and had a lot of friends with military families, which allowed me to grow up with an understanding of what serving your country and being a patriotic American means.

How does your military experience affect your current job and/or life?
The discipline and dedication to excellence has served as the catalyst to recover from my injuries sustained in the suicide bombing attack in Kabul. I’ve endured 43 surgeries and as a double amputee with nearly half my organs missing, I continue to go through physical and occupational therapy to sustain a new successful path in life, find ways to give back to my community, and positively impact lives like I did in the military.

Favorite quote?
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”—Booker T. Washington