She dreamed of leaving the small town life behind and making something of herself. The military seemed like the only way out. She enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school, eager for adventure and a chance to see the world. It was a tough decision, leaving her family and the farm behind, but she knew it was a necessary step towards a better future.
During her time in the military, she faced challenges and hardships that tested her strength and resilience. She served in various roles, from analyzing radar data to training personnel. She worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of her fellow service members, often putting her own life at risk in the process.
After 10 years in the Air Force, she transitioned to a civilian role at the FDA, where she continued to serve her country by ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs for the American people. Her work was important and fulfilling, and she took pride in knowing that she was making a difference.
But all of that came crashing down when she received the news that she was being laid off. The shock and uncertainty of losing her job sent her spiraling back into old habits, struggling to cope with the PTSD symptoms that had plagued her for years. The future seemed bleak, with few job prospects in sight.
Despite the challenges she faced, Hollitt refused to give up. She knew she had the strength and determination to overcome this setback and find a new path forward. She was determined to provide for her four children and give them the life she had always dreamed of.
As she trudged through the frozen fields to tend to her cattle, she thought about the resilience of the human spirit. She thought about the sacrifices she had made and the obstacles she had overcome. She knew that she would find a way to weather this storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
With the support of her family and friends, and the determination to never give up, Karen Hollitt faced the challenges ahead with courage and grace. She was a veteran, a mother, and a fighter, and she was ready to take on whatever came her way.
Karen Hollitt’s journey from a small town in Wisconsin to serving in the Air Force and working in intelligence was filled with twists and turns. Growing up, she saw various career paths around her, from working in the cattle industry to becoming a nurse or a truck driver. However, deep down, she dreamed of becoming a writer, a teacher, or a zoologist.
In 1998, she expressed her inner conflict in her journals, unsure of where she belonged or what she truly wanted. Feeling lost and conflicted, she made the bold decision to enlist in the military at the age of 17, seeking a way out and a new direction for her life.
During her time in training, Hollitt experienced a traumatic event when she was raped by another trainee. The aftermath of the incident, including the lack of support from the psychologist she was referred to, left her feeling isolated and invalidated. Despite this trauma, she continued with her military career, eventually becoming an intelligence analyst.
Her work in intelligence involved analyzing data to identify potential threats in foreign countries. She honed her skills in reading shadows and interpreting aerial images to pinpoint specific weapons. Her work took her to different bases, including Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, where she eventually got married, had children, and later divorced.
Facing challenges in the job market after leaving the Air Force, Hollitt decided to take on a contract job in Iraq during the financial crisis. She spent a year there, torn between her duty and her desire to be with her children back home. Her work involved making crucial decisions about the detention of suspected individuals.
Despite her career in intelligence, Hollitt always harbored a passion for writing. However, the demands of her job often left her feeling drained and uninspired. She longed to make a more direct impact and help people in a meaningful way.
As she reflected on her time in the military and intelligence, Hollitt realized that she wanted to pursue a career where she could use her skills to make a positive difference. She developed training programs to improve the workplace environment and reduce turnover rates, showing her commitment to helping others and fostering a supportive work culture.
Karen Hollitt’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of one’s true passions. Despite facing adversity and uncertainty, she continued to push forward, seeking fulfillment and purpose in her work and life. Karen Hollitt’s journey through PTSD and her struggle with financial uncertainty after losing her job at the FDA highlights the challenges that many veterans face. Hollitt, a former Coast Guard officer, had experienced trauma during her service, including military sexual trauma, which led to her PTSD diagnosis in 2019.
Seeking help from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Hollitt underwent various therapies to address her PTSD symptoms. Through counseling, group sessions, and journaling, she was able to manage her condition and eventually no longer needed therapy or medication. However, the stress of losing her job at the FDA triggered feelings of uncertainty and financial instability.
As a single mother of four, Hollitt meticulously calculated her expenses to determine how she and her children could survive on a reduced income. With rent, car payments, credit card bills, and other expenses to consider, she faced the possibility of having to break her lease and move in with her boyfriend to save money. Despite reaching out to job recruiters and applying for numerous positions, Hollitt struggled to secure a job that would provide enough income to support her family.
The uncertainty of her financial future weighed heavily on her, especially as she navigated the challenges of co-parenting with her exes, one of whom was unresponsive to her attempts at communication. With paid administrative leave until June, Hollitt felt the pressure to find a stable source of income to avoid falling into financial hardship.
Her story sheds light on the complexities of transitioning from military service to civilian life, especially for veterans dealing with PTSD and financial insecurity. Hollitt’s resilience and determination to overcome these challenges serve as a testament to the strength and courage of those who have served their country and continue to face obstacles in their civilian lives. She’d asked her daughter to ask him, and still nothing. The thought of it sometimes made her break down. The weight of uncertainty and unanswered questions lingered in the air, casting a shadow over her days.
Recently, she’d found herself in a position she never thought she’d be in – searching for a job with a revised version of her CV. Stripping away the prestigious titles and accomplishments, she crafted a new narrative that downplayed her expertise and experience. It was a humbling experience, but one she was willing to endure in order to secure a job.
Gone were the days of being a doctorate holder with impressive job descriptions. Now, she was simply a candidate looking for any opportunity that came her way. The job market was tough, but she was determined to find something, anything that would provide her with a sense of stability and purpose.
Her boyfriend and mother offered words of encouragement, reminding her of her resourcefulness and resilience. They assured her that she would be fine, and she held onto those words like a lifeline as she scrolled through endless job postings.
She was open to any type of work – whether it be physical labor or administrative tasks. She was willing to adapt and learn, eager to prove herself in a new role. The rejections and lack of responses weighed heavily on her, but she refused to give up.
As she navigated the uncertain terrain of job hunting, she held onto a glimmer of hope that a door would eventually open for her. She knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to persevere.
With each application submitted and each interview attended, she held onto the belief that her hard work and determination would eventually pay off. She refused to let the setbacks define her, choosing instead to focus on the opportunities that lay ahead.
She may have been faced with obstacles and uncertainties, but she was resilient. She was a fighter, determined to carve out a new path for herself. And as she continued her job search, she held onto the belief that brighter days were on the horizon.
