Episode Description: In this deeply personal episode, we explore the transformative journey of Annie Emprima who turned their military experiences into a lifelong mission of understanding trauma and its impact on the mind and body. Raised primarily by grandparents with distant parents, this journey is shaped by a sense of detachment from an early age. We delve into the pivotal moments that led them to join the military, including the events of 9/11, financial pressures, and a profound sense of destiny. The conversation touches on their spiritual awakening during deployment and how it became a turning point in their life, ultimately guiding them to a career in researching the complex relationship between emotions and trauma. This episode is a compelling exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the ongoing journey to heal and help others.

Social Media Links:

https://www.tiktok.com/@one.emprima

Website

https://oneemprima.com/

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Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

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

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

In this episode of Dog Tag Diaries, we sit down with Eileen Bjorkman, a remarkable woman who came of age during a transformative time in American history—the late 1960s and early 1970s. With a natural talent for math and science and a love for sports, she was anything but typical in an era when women were just starting to gain more opportunities, yet still faced significant discrimination. Her journey took her from a computer programming job to a groundbreaking career in the Air Force, where she became a flight test engineer, overcoming the limitations placed on women in the military at the time.

eileenbjorkman.com

LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-bjorkman-b323b51a/

X -

@AviationHistGal

Published Books -

The Fly Girls Revolt

Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin

The Propeller Under the Bed

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

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

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

In this episode, Doris Sumner takes us on a journey from her roots in rural Vermont to her impactful career in the U.S. military, where she found her purpose in advocating for gender equality. Growing up as one of six kids, with five cousins next door, she was the daring tomboy who wasn't afraid to challenge societal norms. Doris's journey took her from working on farms to joining the carnival to becoming a truck driver in the Army and eventually a leader in combating sexism in the Vermont National Guard. This episode delves into her experiences, the challenges she faced, and how she turned them into a mission to create lasting change.

You can find out more about Doris's book Life At Camp: Combating the Sexism We Tolerate and Why the Military Should Take the Lead at https://itsallaboutego.com/memoir.

https://itsallaboutego.com/

Instagram -

@empoweringgenderopportunities

LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsallaboutego/

Facebook -

Empowering Gender Opportunities, LLC

X -

@itsallaboutego1

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Dog Tag Diaries wherever you listen to podcasts.

Learn more about Reveille and Retreat Project:

reveilleandretreatproject.org

Instagram: @reveilleandretreatproject

Facebook: Reveille and Retreat Project

You aren’t alone.

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

Veteran crisis line: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255.