정체/Identity/身元
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be in the United States Air Force Academy? Or even, what it was like to be a female cadet in the United States Air Force Academy? Read on to take a peek into the life of my close friend and current cadet at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Stephanie will take you in depth on what it is like not only to be a female cadet, but also her unique take on what it is like as an international student from Seoul, South Korea.
Stephanie is a 21-year old Cadet First Class (senior) at USAFA that I met at a concert at the beginning of 2020 (remember concerts lol?). She is currently attending USAFA in Colorado Springs, CO and will be graduating in May 2021 from the academy. Stephanie is a Foreign Area Studies - Political Science major with a Japanese minor. Upon graduation and commissioning as a 2nd lieutenant, she will be a Logistics Readiness Officer for the U.S. Air Force. Prior to her first assignment, she will be located in Sacramento, CA for a year working as an Admissions Advisor for USAFA. (P.S. USAFA= United States Air Force Academy ;)
About
“My interest in joining the U.S. military and in making it my career started in Seoul, South Korea, my hometown for 18 years. My father is a U.S. Army retired veteran turned civilian working for the Department of Defense overseas in South Korea, so through his service in the U.S. Army and his job as a civilian, I had the unique experience of growing up as a third-culture kid, living the best of both worlds in regards to the United States and South Korea. The military community and the wonderful people I have met have inspired me to join the military, but I also wanted to do an undergraduate program and have somewhat of a college experience; The U.S. Air Force Academy offered everything I was looking for. Initially my father’s service and my background are the reasons why I applied and accepted my appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, but my reasons to stay and graduate from this institution have changed since I started my military career four years ago. My major and minor has heightened my interest in foreign relations and cultural understanding of not only Asia but also the entire world. This has allowed me to embrace my cultural identity as an Asian-American woman, fostered my love for traveling and seeing the world, and motivated me to work up to my lifelong goal of learning languages (I know English, Japanese, and Korean right now; want to work towards German and Chinese next!). I became passionate about being a leader and have been involved in many clubs, such as the Korean-American Student Association, Arnold Air Society, and the Women’s Club Water Polo team. It’s hard to say how long I want to and will stay in the military. What I do know is that I am excited for my career as a U.S. Air Force officer after graduation and all the hard work, sacrifices, successes, and failures thus far will all be worth it for my great career and life I have ahead of me. In my free time, I like traveling, hanging out with my friends/family, working out, and treating my friends’ pets like they’re my own children (Natalie knows). :)”
What do you think have been the biggest barriers you have faced so far in achieving your goals?
“Being an Asian-American woman in the U.S. military, I am the epitome of what it means to be a minority in a male-dominated career field with the majority of the members in my career field being White. Because of this, the biggest barrier I have faced so far is finding and embracing my identity and voice. When I first got to the Academy, I’ve felt many times that I was not accepted and embraced as I thought I was going to be. I’ve seen the best parts of being affiliated with the military through the diverse, welcoming military community I grew up in my whole life, and I did not see that initially at the Academy. To the majority of the brothers and sisters in arms around me who grew up in different places in the continental United States, my background and upbringing was confusing. “So are you American or Korean?” “How did you apply to get in here if you’re from South Korea?” These were the questions I was asked so often. At the beginning I was so sure of myself, who I was, and what I represented. Over time during my freshman year, however, I found myself losing sight of who I was and questioning myself as much as others did. Because of that, I suppressed my true feelings, thoughts, and personality for the longest time. At times I felt so lonely and felt that I had no one to turn to. It took much courage for me to acknowledge that I was at a low, dark place personally, and it was even harder to get myself back up and do something about it. However, I’m so glad I took those steps because I am my best and better self today, someone who I’ve wanted to be for the longest time. I am now a confident, assertive, compassionate, and dependable person and leader who exhibits her strengths freely but also embraces and acknowledges her flaws. In a career field where seeing a face and background like mine is difficult, I made myself my own role model and continue to better myself and strive to positively affect those around me.”
What would you tell a younger version of you?
“Be confident in yourself and your abilities!!! Be proud of who you are, where you came from, and all the success you’ve had and the challenges you’ve faced to get to where you are today!!! You’re a bad bleep, keep it up :)”
What advice would you give to another woman who is trying to break into the same industry you are in?
“Not going to lie, being in the military is hard, but being a woman in the military is even harder. However, there are many women before us who made strides in their careers to allow us to serve alongside our brothers in arms and make an impact not only domestically but also globally. Take my advice I would tell my younger self. Keep your back strong, but front soft. Embrace and acknowledge the diversity that the military has to offer with its members. Go out there and be a bad bleep - you got this and I support you! :)
Final tips/advice:
“Distinguish your work life and personal life and separate those - trust me I know how hard it is. One of my favorite professors would always end class before the weekend by saying, “go do something to refresh your souls.” Embrace the sauce but don’t get too lost in it, make time for yourself!”
Upon reading this, you probably know that Stephanie is not only a hard-working and mentally tough cadet, but also a leader, role model and student unafraid of using her voice. In the wise words of Stephanie Choe, go out there and be a bad bleep and embrace everything that is you! Stay true to yourself and be proud of who you are today, where you came from, and how your unique experiences have shaped you.
You can continue to follow Stephanie’s journey at: @shtephles on Instagram.
