Rachel C. is a Sailor from Illinois who enlisted in the Navy after raising her children, fulfilling a longtime dream to serve once they were older. Rachel has volunteered with the USO since June 2025 as another way to give back while serving. Her Miles for Military flight will help her return to Illinois to be with her 18-year-old daughter for her final reconstructive surgery after a lifelong series of procedures for a cleft lip and palate. For Rachel, the trip is an opportunity to continue putting her children first while serving her country.
“This opportunity through this program means so much to me. I’m away from my children. I’m an older sailor who enlisted after raising my children. It has always been a dream of mine to serve in the military, but family comes first… I am so very close to my children. This has been hard for them, but they have always been my number one priority. Through this opportunity, I’m still putting them first when they need me.”
