People join the United States military for many different reasons. They may want technical training, a paycheck, college money, or even simple travel and adventure. Others, like my new friend, former Navy Reserve Lt. Mary Kallen, join the military due to nothing more than a deep love of country and a desire to help America.

Kallen’s family legally came to America when she was 4. They settled in Florida. She eventually became a U.S. citizen and graduated high school in 1981. She wanted to enter one of America’s military academies, but her father objected. A brilliant young woman, she studied engineering in college and obtained a civilian job with the Army as a test engineer.