American Arsenal

We don’t personally know each other. Somehow through “creeping” one profile to the next, we became Instagram friends some time ago. Maybe it was that we both have huskies, solid American pride, and share a love for wine and a passion for working out. Or maybe it is that we both see truth in the quote “what if I CAN do it”. She even has a little journalism background as an Advertising Executive at CBS Radio.

I am inspired by a woman who I have never met and you’ll see why. She is an American Soldier. Her name is Jennifer Ruth Davis and she’s a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army. She currently serves as an Intelligence Analyst for a National Cyber Protection Team under the U.S. Army Cyber Command.

I don’t even know what that means but she clearly is a bad ass. And smart. She must be smart. She is a a strong, tough, and daring woman. Beautiful too. She is a warrior. Servicemen and servicewomen have to have something instilled in their blood when they are born that contains a strong sense of pride, honor and integrity. And selflessness. (I didn’t get that blood.) I think personality traits and characteristics of service members differ greatly from that of the average citizen. This is why I admire her. I just am an average citizen with a screw loose and a need for an abundant amount of fur, wine, and speed, and a strong appreciation for those who risk their lives for others.

DM: Why did you join the military?

JRD: Well, I was in a 12-year rut as a marketing/advertising executive and I hated it. I wanted to something more with my life. [I] wanted to be a small part of something that meant something. And I love foreign policy and the intelligence community – the aspect of keeping the country safe and national security. So I took the leap. I knew the Army would provide the training and deployments for experience. It has been an insane but awesome ride. The best decision I have ever made.

DM: What has been the scariest thing?

JRD: Scariest? Probably a couple missions in Afghanistan that I went on.

DM: What has been the most rewarding?

JRD: Rewarding? Being a part of Intel that saved our guys on the ground…

Let’s dig deeper. Sergeant Jennifer R. Davis has more honors and awards than I will ever have. Let’s begin…insert drum roll, crowd roar (let’s make some noise), the sound of popping’ bottles…

Staff Sergeant Jennifer R. Davis, United States Army, received a Bronze Star Medal in January of 2013 for distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious service as the Combined Task Force-1 (CJTF-1) Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence Analysis and Requirements Cell (CHARC) Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) from 16 March, 2012 through 28 February, 2013, while deployed in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom XIII.

She was also awarded an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service while serving as an all source intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. To earn this she exhibited superb leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to excellent that contributed greatly to the overall success of the command. Her selfless service and dedication to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon herself, United States Division-South, and the United States Army.

She has several other honors and awards including a Certification of Recognition in appreciation for and of personal sacrifice, hardships endured and services rendered to the United States of American while a member of the 1st Infantry Division serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn 2010-2011. For her courage and devotion to duty is in keeping with the best ideals of responsible citizenship in a free, democratic society. She maintained the finest traditions of the Big Red One going back to 1917, exemplifying it’s motto “No sacrifice too great. No mission too difficulty. Duty First!”

She has these other awards too from the U.S. Army including: NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Service Ribbon, and a National Defense Service Ribbon. I don’t know what these all mean or what they entail but she deserves some mad respect.

I love and respect a strong, tough American man (I am still searching for him) but I admire, idolize, respect and am inspired by a strong, tough woman. For someone to be similar to myself (in our interests of course) and to achieve what she has and to push the limits and risk career goals, gender roles, and the ultimate sacrifice of life or death, and for her to raise her right hand and take the Oath of Enlistment in front of our flag and offer to give your life to protect mine (and those around me), saying “thanks for your service” just isn’t enough. I hope this post inspires other women and men to enlist. I hope it shares the story of your heroism. I hope it shows you that you are both loved and appreciated.

Jennifer Ruth. You are my inspiration. My idol. I wish I was half the woman you are. Thank you for your service. Cheers! I pray some day we can meet in person so we can drink wine and walk the dogs, and you can tell me some crazy stories. Thank you for being you. America appreciates it.

Now, I remember why we connected! We connected on Instagram because of the brand American Arsenal (give them a follow). I love sharing my American pride loud and clear so I bought some shirts awhile ago and you were a part of the family!

I wish I had “the balls” to give back. I come from a family with several veterans including my Uncle Terry, Uncle Keith, Aunt Lori, Aunt Lee, Grandpa Nelson and Grandpa Medin and my brother Jay. I have a very good friend who served in Iraq and I won’t ever forget those 2 a.m. phone calls that woke the whole house in the middle of the night (thank you Mama for answering so I could talk to AJ and know that he was ok). I never had the guts to learn more about the military in high school because it scared the shit out of me and I won’t forget the day my Mom and brother told me he enlisted. I was so scared. I don’t have any or enough words to describe the type of people and the respect I have for those people who risk their lives for others.

I was drawn this brand for the respect that I have for our country and the Armed Forces. Jennifer is one of them supporting the American Arsenal Mission (below). I encourage you to too!

We have so many reasons for starting American Arsenal but if we had to narrow it down to one item that would be simple: To Give Back.  Our freedoms are something we don’t take lightly and we’re grateful for those that have sacrificed so much to defend them.

Our mission is to provide the best apparel available that is not only comfortable but something that you could wear at the gym and in your everyday life.  The styles will range from extremely patriotic to motivational quotes but no matter the style a portion of the proceeds from everything you purchase will go to charities that support those who are in our armed forces or that have served in years past.

It’s time to show our Brothers and Sisters in Arms how much we appreciate the work they do day in and day out!!

 

Use discount code “YAPYEN10” to support the American Arsenal mission. Shop American Arsenal and support our Armed Forces! 20% of the proceeds goes to military charities. Show your American pride. #MERICA