I’ve been a story teller all my life, writing for school publications, including my university’s newspaper (Iowa State Daily), where I studied journalism/mass communication and psychology.  I’ve contributed poetry, essays and devotions to various anthologies but my latest is, of course, my memoir “All I Could Be: My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq,” released this past May by History Publishing.

I joined the active Army at age 18, for a 3-year contract.  Then I re-enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard for 5 years while attending college.  It was my senior year that I was deployed to Iraq.  And that set my life on a new course all together.  Returning home, I had no desire to cover breaking news.  I didn’t want to write war stories; I wanted to pen mine.  So I got a variety of part-time jobs: modeling, acting, marketing, I even delivered newspapers for a summer.  In between, I worked on my book.  I was diligent, but it was still a long process to compile, edit and solicit publishers.

MIYOKO: I think one major challenge for women entering military service at a young age (or any age, really) is to find a way to fulfill the “soldier role” without losing their own identity.  What I mean by this is, for a man entering the military, many of the “desirable” masculine traits–toughness, brutality, physicality–are celebrated.  A man doesn’t lose his identity by being hypermasculine.  A woman, however, may feel as if she is losing a part of herself if some of her natural personality–sensitivity, compassion, femininity–are suppressed because leaders or male comrades view these traits unfairly as weaknesses.  The truth is that men are not exclusively one way and women another.  We’re different blends of all traits.  And the effectiveness of any team is maximized when people are allowed to let their unique traits and talents shine.  Diversity is strength when it’s applied to the same goal.

With media attention on sexual assaults in the military, this is clearly another challenge for women in the military–to remain physically and emotionally insulated from harm, to be allowed to perform their job duties without harassment or prejudice, to feel comfortable reporting inappropriate and criminal behavior to their leadership knowing that action will be taken to persecute sexual perpetrators.  In an environment where young women soldiers are accustomed to taking orders, in the matter of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) women must be empowered to take charge, especially in the realm of mental health treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which often results from a sexual assault, especially when it occurs during a deployment when other traumatic incidents have likely been experienced.

MBA&M: “All I Can Be: My Story as a Woman Warrior in Iraq” we understand is your story, how hard was it to write this compelling tribute to women who serve their country?

MIYOKO: At times, writing my story was very difficult.  In order to describe some of the events in Iraq, I had to put myself back there emotionally and envision the people, the smells, the fear, the heat and the sweat.  The gift of re-visiting those sands of time was being able to critically examine details I did not have time to reflect upon at the time and form, ultimately, my own truth about them.  It was an opportunity for me to take all the pieces of an incoherent and chaotic experience and say, hey, this is what it was for me.  Of course, I recognize that years from now my reflection may be different but that’s all a part of the healing process.  I don’t believe a soldier ever completely returns home.  It’s a lifelong process of steps that occur while the rest of post-deployment life moves forward.

MBA&M: What was the most difficult scene for you to write?

MIYOKO: The most difficult scene to write was the convoy I was on when another of my company’s convoys (on the same road) was ambushed and through the radio transmissions I could envision the scene of chaos, destruction and death of my friend, Specialist Aaron Sissel.  I felt completely helpless as my vehicle was too far away to reach him in time.  Aaron was a great guy and an admirable soldier–kind, hard working, patriotic–and only 22 when he was killed.  I was 26 at the time, hardly much older, but I still felt like he was just a kid and never got the chance to get married, have a family and do many of the other things in life that we not only take for granted but sometimes complain about.  I try to remember him and his complete sacrifice because I think it pushes me to live my life to the fullest and that is one of the ways that I can honor him.

MBA&M: We understand the sacrifices you made for your fellow countryman,and your extraordinary service, but if you could change anything about your sojourn into a combat zone, what would it be? 

MIYOKO: Since I was in college while I was in the National Guard, I focused on my schoolwork first and my military career second.  While other soldiers went to summer training schools to advance in rank, I took summer classes.  The result was that I earned 2 bachelor’s degrees and had a fantastic college experience.  I didn’t just “make the grade” or get my necessary credits, I got a superb education.  Simultaneously, my military career was stagnant.  I don’t know if I could have balanced a rigorous school schedule with additional military training, but if I could change anything I would have tried it so that I could have been a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant when I deployed.  Being in a leadership role would have driven me to be a better soldier, lead by example, and influence others in a way that might have improved their deployment experience.

MBA&M: How hard was basic training? 

MIYOKO: Basic training wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t overwhelming for me.  Everyone was miserable and time passed pretty quickly.  We were busy all the time, so there wasn’t any chance or anyone to complain to.  I knew when I enlisted that I wasn’t going to give up.  So I think I took it one moment at a time.

I had the benefit of playing Varsity sports in high school.  I was already physically fit and accustomed to being on a team so that was a good foundation to have for the physical training aspects of basic training.  I also grew up spending a lot of time outdoors–camping trips, tending a garden, yard work–so braving the elements for road marches or our field exercise was not entirely new to me either.  I wasn’t afraid to get dirty or yelled at.  In fact, in most situations I smile.  That’s my signature move.  So the drill sergeants sometimes called me “Private Smiley” because no matter what, I was able to find some happiness.

MBA&M: What do your regret most about your time served, what was some of the things you missed most while you where in the military? 

MIYOKO: There is very little I regret about my military service, or my life in general.  I do think that one aspect of young adulthood I missed because of my service was being sort of carefree, fun, exploratory and optimistic.  I started working at age 14, so had some level of responsibility and commitment at a young age.  Then in the Army, life was rather serious and paying attention to the details was critical.  I couldn’t let my mind wander on a firing range or while driving a 5-ton vehicle.  I didn’t stroll across the grass on a college campus in bare feet, playing frisbee between classes, or soaking up sun rays.  I didn’t spend hours getting ready for formals or wear fun lipstick colors.  I do all that now though.  It’s never too late to have fun, even if I’m not “young” anymore.

MBA&M: What do you most want people to understand about life in the military?

MIYOKO: The military, at least the active duty, is not a job it’s a lifestyle.  When a woman or man signs an enlistment contract she or he signs away the choice to decide where to live, what to wear, the length of the work day, the extent of the job duties and all the creature comforts of civilian life.  She or he agrees to give up everything including life, by the order of a squad leader up to the President, in order to defend the Constitution and the American way of life.  And she or he does that voluntarily.  No enlistment bonus or college loan repayment benefit can “buy” that.  It’s a loyalty and sense of duty that lives in the heart.  That’s how I define a soldier–by the condition of the heart to put the mission first.

MBA&M: What is your advice to anyone who is thinking about joining the military?

MIYOKO: 1) Do your homework.  Learn about the branches of service, the jobs, the qualifications and the fitness standards.  Research an initial enlistment contract and ask a recruiter (and someone that is currently serving in the military if possible) to explain it so you understand exactly what your commitment to the military is and what its responsibility is to you.

2) For women, make certain you can pass the physical fitness standards well above the minimum requirement.  It’s a more challenging environment for women than men, and fitness is highly valued.  If that part of your job is mastered, you’ll be able to focus on the other challenges better.

3) For single women, examine your sexual values and dating rules and set clear guidelines for yourself.  This area is also more difficult to negotiate for women than men, so having a plan is a smart approach.  When you’re assigned to your first unit, identify other women, especially in leadership roles, that are willing to mentor and support you in this area.  Work to establish a network of trustworthy women friends.

MBA&M: Please tell our readers where they may connect with you and where they may purchase “All I Could Be”?

MIYOKO: You can find me on Facebook, Twitter (@MHikiji), Pinterest, Goodreads, Google + and Tumblr (mhikiji).  My website and blog are at www.allicouldbe.com.

You can purchase my book at Barnes and Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-i-could-be-miyoko-hikiji/1114875537?ean=9781933909585

and at Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/All-Could-Be-Story-Warrior/dp/1933909587/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1377140923&sr=1-1

You can purchase my book at Barnes and Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-i-could-be-miyoko-hikiji/1114875537?ean=9781933909585