USNA – 2005 – A Navy EOD Officer from Small Town Vermont

SHOW NOTES:

This episode features Shauna Marshall, a 2005 graduate from The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. You’ll get to hear all about her journey from a small town in Vermont to becoming one of a handful of women to enter the Navy EOD community to now living abroad as a Physical Therapist with her husband and 3 kids. Enjoy the show!

KEY TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:

• Finding a sense of adventure in the Navy
• Feeling undeserving of getting accepted to an Academy
• The importance of teamwork, both at the Academy and beyond
• Managing the loss of a loved one while at school
• The struggle of finding supportive women in a male dominated industry
• Navigating the transition from military life to civilian life
• Motherhood and raising a little girl 

0:30 INTRODUCTION:

• Can you tell everyone where you’re from? What school you went to and when you graduated?
• Can you give everyone 1-2 lines about who you are?

1:25 PART I:

• What made you choose a Service Academy – and what made you specifically choose the USNA?
• How did people feel when you got into the Academy?
• Were you apprehensive about military life post-graduation?

10:55 PART II:

• How did you feel once you got to the Academy?
• If you had to sum up your time at the Academy in one word, what would it be?
• Joining the swimming and diving team.

15:54 PART III:

• What were some of the highlights for you while you were at the Academy?
• While you were at the Academy, did you feel like it was the right decision for you?
• The struggle with academics.
• Did the image of what you had in your head about the USNA match what you were hoping for?
• While you were at the Academy, did what you wanted to do post-graduation start to become more clear?

22:10 PART IV:

• What are some of the low-lights of your time at the Academy?
• Managing the loss of a loved one.
• What were some of the key lessons you took away from your time at the Academy?

30:55 PART V:

• What was your life like post-graduation?
• The role of the Navy EOD technician.
• How did you feel knowing Navy EOD is a community of very few women?
• Managing those that doubt your ability to succeed.
• Finding people that support what you’re trying to do.

44:10 PART VI:

• How did attending an Academy impact your career trajectory?
• At the 8 year mark, what did you decide to do after that?
• Transitioning out of the military and becoming a Physical Therapist.
• Becoming a mom. 

50:30 CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:

• Looking back now, how do you feel about your decision to attend an Academy?
• What’s next for you?
• Do you have any parting words for listeners? Perhaps a key message to your fellow Service Academy sisters?
• What’s one random fun fact about you?
• Where can people reach you?

Email: Shauna804@gmail.com

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