Finding Purpose Beyond the Uniform

It sounded like a scam. It was November 2024, and I was a Private First Class (PFC) living in the barracks at Fort Bragg, about a year and a half into my active-duty contract as a Behavioral Health Specialist. At the time, I was trying to figure out how to fly across the country – from North Carolina to California – so that I could spend Christmas with my family. For a junior enlisted service member, an $800 to $1,000 round-trip flight is a significant expense, and traveling during the holidays only makes those costs harder to manage. Going home wasn’t simply a matter of getting leave approved; I had to figure out how I could afford to get there. And that’s how I was introduced to Miles for Military.

My experience wasn’t unique. As both a soldier and Behavioral Health Specialist, I saw firsthand how difficult adjusting to military life – and doing it far from home – could be. After the intensity of training, many junior service members arrive at their first duty station expected to adapt to a new job, new responsibilities, new people, and sometimes an entirely new part of the country, all at once. For many, all of that is happening while they’re hundreds or even thousands of miles away from family and friends. 

The military community can be incredibly strong and supportive, but service members also need to build connections and a sense of purpose outside of work. From a Behavioral Health perspective, I knew how important connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging were. People need people. Having somewhere to go, something to look forward to, and people who know you outside of your job can make a new place begin to feel like home. I spent my workdays encouraging soldiers to build support systems and take care of their mental health. Early on, I realized I needed practice what I preached and build my own community and purpose.

I spent many weekends during my first year at Fort Bragg volunteering for multiple non-profit organizations in the surrounding cities as well as Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) events on the installation.

It got me out of the barracks, gave me something to look forward to, provided purpose beyond “PFC Dakota B.” and created opportunities to meet and support people I otherwise may never have known. 

Volunteering also gave me a reason to explore North Carolina – to see cities, countryside, and everything in between. I made connections, built my résumé, and had so much fun. I built barns, pulled weeds, played with babies, helped with horses, passed out snacks, and so much more. It was time well spent. After each event, I was exhausted but fulfilled. I could genuinely say, “I helped someone today.” That feeling was irreplaceable. The people I met were phenomenal and always so grateful – and that feeling of knowing my time mattered kept me coming back.