When Karisa Jackson enlisted in the Army in 2023, she knew she was choosing a path few others her age would dare to take. Armed with a bachelor’s degree and nearly a decade of professional experience, Jackson wasn't looking for a job, she was looking for a challenge.
“I had been around the military since I was 16. My sister's husband — he's now a sergeant major — was in the military. I'd been around the military community, and I worked in education to help soldiers get their degree,” Jackson said. “Part of it was like being around the community and seeing the morals, ethics and people being straightforward upfront. Some of it was for benefits, like education benefits, and at the end of the day, it was really mostly a challenge. I wanted to stretch and grow. I kind of was stagnant in my job. So I really wanted a challenge.”
Jackson originally wanted to go through the enlistment process when she was 27 years old but backed out due to fear.
