Eva Nevarez St. John is an Army veteran who served from 1976-1982, including time in the Army Reserves. She is the author of When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing, a memoir that chronicles her military experiences and the deep friendship that shaped her life. Eva is currently semi-retired and living in New Mexico.

Episode Description: In this episode, we delve into the life and military career of Eva Nevarez St. John, an Army veteran who served from 1976 to 1982, including time in the Army Reserves. Eva shares her journey from a curious and adventurous Army brat to a dedicated soldier who joined the military to escape personal hardship and pursue higher education.

Eva reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her military service, discussing the discrimination she faced as a woman soldier, the deep bond she formed with her best friend in Korea, and the devastating impact of her friend’s murder by an ROTC instructor. She also talks about the positive characteristics she developed through her service, such as discipline and confidence, as well as the lasting caution she feels towards men in power.

Throughout the episode, Eva offers valuable advice to women considering or currently pursuing a military career, emphasizing the importance of preparation, support networks, and self-care.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563521104576

Website:

https://enchantedspiritjourneys.com/

Books:

When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing

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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.

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/

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 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.