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“ARE YOU MY MOTHER?” By Augustina Mushale

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by instantsep_admin

I had never been away from my children until I joined the military in November 2002. My youngest was only a year old when I went to boot camp in Lackland Air Force Base. This decision was very tough, being a mother of two toddlers and a preschooler who might be gone from her family … Read more

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“The Fears of Separation” by Augustina Mushale

June 30, 2022June 30, 2022 by instantsep_admin

She had never been away from her children until she joined the military in 2002. It was a beautiful evening in St. Paul, Minnesota, and I needed to drop her off at the recruiter’s officer. The recruiter would be taking her to the hotel where she would spend the night before leaving for basic training. … Read more

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“Last Day at Baraki Barak” by Robert Hickman

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by instantsep_admin

Off in the distance I heard a distinct sound — the metallic blades cutting through the air. Could this finally be it? Was this really happening? I touched my face to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming. I was 20 years old, and I was nearing the end of my first deployment. As the helicopter … Read more

Categories UCSB Student Veterans and Military Dependents, Writings

“The Kid” by Michael Ramirez

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by instantsep_admin

When I first arrived in Saudi Arabia, I didn’t know what to expect. I was fresh out of the Air Force and starting my new job as a private military contractor. Because of my background in aircraft fabrication, I had been hired by the Royal Saudi Air Force to help support their jet fighter program. … Read more

Categories UCSB Student Veterans and Military Dependents, Writings

“Kitchen Table” by David Guerrero

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by instantsep_admin

My mother sat across from me at her kitchen table. The kitchen table had always been the location where we talked and shared the things going on in both of our lives. When I was fourteen years old, she was sitting at the kitchen table when I shared with her that I had had my … Read more

Categories UCSB Student Veterans and Military Dependents, Writings

“Mental Challenges” by Nick Tash

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by instantsep_admin

In September of 2010, I shipped off to Marine Corps basic training in San Diego. I was in the best physical shape of my life, as I was a cross country runner in high school. I was ready for any PT that they would throw at me. However, I was not ready for the mental … Read more

Categories UCSB Student Veterans and Military Dependents, Writings

“Brothers” by Aaron McMullin

February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by instantsep_admin

The three of us had become best friends during our deployment and we had just arrived back home. Everyone wanted something from us– phone calls, hugs, stories, presents, the list went on. We decided to go camping because we just wanted to be left alone.  Although he was the same age as Dan and three … Read more

Categories UC Veterans Summer Workshop Writings, UC-VWW 2019, Writings

“Dan and the Salute” by Frankki Allen

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by instantsep_admin

“Aye, Aye Officer Frankki!” Dan called from the other end of the store, with a playful grin. His hand was placed on his forehead as if to block his eyes from the sun. He was trying to salute, and it looked completely wrong. It felt completely wrong. Dan was engaged to my cousin, and both … Read more

Categories UC Veterans Summer Workshop Writings, UC-VWW 2019, Writings

“Pirate Flag” by Dalton Mullinax

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by instantsep_admin

Before I got out of the Marine Corps my biggest fear was losing the friends I had made there, because I knew that most people moved back to their hometown and moved on with their lives once their service was over.  Once I got out, though, I had a different feeling.  While my friends did … Read more

Categories UC Veterans Summer Workshop Writings, UC-VWW 2019, Writings

“Bad Airmen” by James Simonton

February 6, 2020February 6, 2020 by instantsep_admin

Airmen come in all shapes and sizes. You have your tall Airmen, useful for securing high things, like books from shelves. You have your strong Airmen, needed for opening pickle jars and moving large boxes. You have your class “A,” high-speed Airman, the best of the best, whose abilities know no bounds. But this story … Read more

Categories UC Veterans Summer Workshop Writings, UC-VWW 2019, Writings
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