How One Soldier’s Grit and Perseverance - and a Little Support From the USO - Helped Her Achieve Professional Success

By Kayla Clark

There are those special people that, from the moment you first speak to them, really sparkle. Shakala is one of them.

Originally from a small town in Alabama, Shakala joined the military straight out of high school. For her, it was not only her strong sense of duty and a passion for service that led her to embark on a meaningful journey in the military, but also her desire to see and experience the world – to step beyond the limits of her small town and see what the world had to offer.

“I knew there was a vast world beyond what I had known,” shared Shakala. “[One] filled with adventure, culture and opportunities waiting to be explored. The military wasn’t just a career choice, it was my ticket to seeing the world, embracing new experiences and shaping a future far beyond what I had imagined.”

In early 2005, Shakala enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Unit Supply Specialist. She would spend the next 20 years of her life serving in the military, being stationed all around the world. Her most recent duty station was Vicenza, Italy, where she celebrated a culmination of experiences and opportunities that surpassed all the expectations she had for herself many years ago.

Shakala first enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo

One of the most memorable moments of her career that stands out as a true point of pride for her was mentoring the people serving in one of her supply rooms to achieve the highest logistics honor in the Army: the Supply Excellence Award.

“It was a powerful testament to their hard work, dedication and willingness to trust me as their mentor,” Shakala shared. “Watching them rise to the occasion and earn such prestigious recognition was an unforgettable moment that reinforced the impact of strong leadership and guidance.”

Shakala’s career wasn’t always easy though. When asked her greatest military achievement, she answered, “My greatest military achievement was reaching the 20-year mark and earning my retirement. The journey wasn’t easy. I faced countless challenges, sacrifices and moments that tested my resilience. But through determination, perseverance and sheer grit, I pushed myself to the finish line. Making it to retirement wasn’t just a milestone; it was a testament to my unwavering commitment, strength and dedication to service.”

After serving in the Army for 20 years, Shakala used the USO Transition Program to begin her transition back into civilian life. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo

As Shakala’s military career came to a close, she took that grit and determination and focused it on her upcoming transition into civilian life. Part of that journey was her enlistment in the USO Transition Program. She stumbled upon the program from a LinkedIn post and immediately signed up to learn more. Upon doing so, she was connected with a USO Transition Specialist in Europe, where she was stationed, who met with her and discussed her goals and plans for the future.

The USO Transition Program offers professional development services throughout the duration of a service member’s military service, as well as in preparation for life post-military. These resources are also available to military spouses throughout their service member’s career. Through the USO Transition Program, members of the military community can learn and prepare for everything from employment and education, to financial readiness and veteran benefits, to overall mentorship.

Shakala’s USO Transition Specialist helped her build a customized Action Plan, full of free resources and tasks to help Shakala accomplish her next life goal: to step into the banking industry.

Over the course of the next year and a half, Shakala participated in the USO Transition Program, getting connected to resources for her resume, certifications, professional mentoring, LinkedIn and networking as well as interview preparation. She was connected to a mentor in the banking world, who she checked in with monthly over the course of a year. Her mentor coached Shakala in tailoring her resume to the banking industry and prepared her for upcoming interviews in that field.

Shakala truly took advantage of every opportunity the USO Transition Program had to offer. She took the reins on her transition out of the military, learned about resources that could help her prepare and then she put in the work. The work ethic she learned and practiced in the Army – that grit she was so proud of – certainly a crucial role in her career preparation for her next chapter as well.

“What I loved most about the USO Transition Program was having an incredible Transition Specialist,” Shakala shared. “She was truly amazing, guiding me through the process, helping me set monthly goals and keeping me on track for a smooth transition. Her support made all the difference. The USO offers so many valuable resources for service members, but success comes down to putting in the work and seizing the opportunities they provide. It’s a program designed to set you up for success, as long as you’re willing to take full advantage of it.”

Month after month, Shakala and her specialist connected to discuss Shakala’s progress, and each month, her USO Transition Specialist was consistently impressed at her progress and resolve. After months of an intense interview process – which included info nights, multiple peer-to-peer calls and numerous virtual interviews – Shakala’s grit paid off.

She was finally offered a position with Bank of America in their Global Operations Military Development Program, her top choice. She’ll begin this new journey in the coming months, relocating back stateside to the Southeast to settle in with her son. She attributes her success not just to her determination and hard work, but also to the support system that guided her along the way.

“My advice to service members transitioning from the military is to build a strong support system, stay proactive and network relentlessly,” Shakala shares. “Take full advantage of the many veteran programs available – you never know which one could be life changing. Most importantly, pay it forward by sharing your knowledge and experience with those who will follow in your footsteps.

Transitioning out of the military can be quite a journey, but with the right mindset and resources, it can open doors to incredible new opportunities.”