In honor of Veteran’s Day, we reached out to Yolanda Crenshaw, a Veteran US Marine to write a piece describing her takeaways from her service. We appreciate the service and bravery from all of our veterans and active members of the military. Thank you for everything you do!
4 key takeaways from my service in the Marines
1. I found my “Swagger” in the Service
I woke up on a Thursday morning and was not concerned about gas money or which blizzard I was going to eat during my shift at Dairy Queen. I wasn’t worried about having my uniform “squared away” standing with the Marines as they deployed the beaches of Somalia in 1993 in Operation RESTORE HOPE. I didn’t look for excuses when I was given 15 month deployment orders to Iraq in 2007. I didn’t look for a parade when I saw my name as the franchise owner of Mother’s Helpers – A Childcare Agency.
It was just another blessed Thursday and it just so happens on this day 21 years ago, I said the oath of office and because of these lessons I found my work, motherhood and beauty of my swagger – confidence.
2. A true life saver – don’t sweat the small
FIRE in the engine room on the ship! Imagine you operating a 25 pound fire hose nozzle, in the pitch black darkness with 3 friends fighting a fire with the intent on saving the ship and the 1,200 people on it. After I visited my friend with 3rd degree burns on his face and arms, I very quickly learned that TIME is taken for granted.
Imagine a positive pregnancy and then life lost,
2 years of IFV with grieve and hope and faith,
Nine months brings you a miracle baby girl making you mommy.
No mistake – take time for what matters – LAUGH in between the balance the business, military leadership, and family.
3. Accountability means accountability period
I interviewed with 3 Commanders to be selected into the Intelligence Community and the honor of a commission from the enlisted ranks to becoming an Officer. The last question after being in the room for 1 1/2 hours was, “What do you know about being an Intelligence Officer?”
My response was simple,”Nothing-if I can be an engineer in a male dominated field on ship, I can certainly lead sailors in the collection and analysis data for commands.”
Take responsibility for what you don’t know, treat your customers and community with care. Tell then what you want to tell them and tell them again.
4. Always have a good Naval Chief Petty Officer as a mentor
Sometimes you mess everything up and still come out ahead. Other times you can do everything right and still mess up! Chief Petty Officers are the senior enlisted ranks in the Navy service after they have gone through peer review. They are the boss! This is not your spouse – this is a confidant in business that tells you like it is. Laugh, cry, pick you up, understands your drive, will save your life and help you be a better leader.
My mentor CPO told me that when I was not having fun- to find a new work!
My work is to mentor new Intelligence Officers,
My work is to build a franchise as a business owner,
My work is to be a mom and wife – I am having fun!
I could not imagine my life without the beautiful chaos of the lessons from the experiences in the Military service. Everyday I see what I do as important, meaningful and important. Find your swagger – IT FEELS GOOD!
Yolanda Crenshaw
Mom
Military Officer
Business Owner
