I love to travel. Who doesn’t, right? Luxurious vacations, laying on the beach, visiting tourist attractions or hunting out the run-down, family-owned restaurants that actually have the most authentic food, all while traveling the world. This is a dream, and I found a way to do it without draining my bank account.

How am I doing this? The military.

I am a reservist in the U.S. Navy. This means I am a full-time student, but that I spend one weekend a month and a minimum of two weeks a year at a Reserve Center or Naval Base. Joining the Navy has already given me more travel opportunities than I could ever imagine and the future traveling as I further my Naval Career is innumerable!

Just this summer I will be spending two weeks on the beaches of Virginia, a few days in South Carolina, and two weeks in San Diego. Since I am going to these places on business and for the sake of serving my country, I get to go to these places without breaking my bank account. Obviously, I will be working during the weekdays when I go to these places, but on my free time, I get to go explore all of these amazing places.

Next summer, I get to look forward to going to Japan or Hawaii for two weeks, and who knows where else! The opportunities and chances to volunteer to go places are never-ending. For me, these experiences are a win-win because not only do I get to travel the world, but I am also proudly serving this amazing country!

The military takes care of so many of the worries and headaches of traveling too. They help me get a rental car and they house me in a hotel on or off base while I’m there. My biggest job is to catch my flight and go to work when they tell me to.

Another way the military offers me travel opportunities is through all of the connections I have made with fellow service members. I have made so many friends through this experience and so many of them serve all around the world. I have friends in Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, San Diego, Guam, Virginia and Florida — the list goes on.

Long-distant friendships are great because it gives me an excuse to travel (and also to invade their home for the week so I don’t have to pay for a hotel)! They all know they would be more than welcome to visit me here in Madison, WI!

I have made worldwide connections and have all of these amazing opportunities that I get to look forward to. The Navy has offered me so many experiences and has introduced me to so many amazing people in the short year that I have been enlisted. I can’t wait to see what else it has in store for me as I continue to travel this amazing world!