Evita is currently serving in the US Navy and has been on active duty for 12 years. She is a Human Resources Officer, currently stationed in Phoenix, AZ; mother to two children (son, 7 and daughter, 5)
She has a family tradition of military service and participated in Navy Jr Reserve Officer Training Corps in high school. After graduating from college, she decided to join the Navy through the Officer Candidate Program. She got pushed into becoming a flight officer which wasn’t something she was passionate about and was able to transfer to Public Affairs after her first assignment. She decided to leave active duty and transition into the Reserves and move back home. There she got married and had her son and also graduated with her Masters. After graduating she found a job as a civilian in a government job while also working in the Reserves.
She decided that job wasn’t a good fit and took the opportunity to go back on orders for an extended period of time. She and her husband separated and she decided to go back to active duty. Unfortunately, there were not any PA opening so she applied to switch to Human Resources. And went back to active duty as a Human Resources Officer.
She is a single mom of two kids and has her mom living with her to help take care of the kids while she works full time, pursues her PhD and live her life. Having that built in support has really helped her as she occasionally travels and has other commitments to the military.
She encourages women to join the military and would like to see the percentage of women serving in the military go to 50%.
Related Episodes:
Episode 15: From the Navy to the Air Force
Episode 27: From the Navy to Entrepreneurship
Episode 9: Seeing the World with the Navy
Amanda Huffman
Welcome to Episode 76 of the women of the military podcast. This week my guest is Evita Sales, and she is currently serving in the Navy with 12 years in she is a single mother of a daughter and a son. And we spent a lot of time talking about what the challenges are like to be in the Navy and be a single parent. And it was really interesting to hear her experience in that how she has gone through the different challenges that she's faced. So it's another great episode and let's get started. You're listening to the women of the military podcast where we share the stories of female servicemembers and how the military touch their lives. I'm your host, military veteran military spouse and mom, Amanda Huffman. My goal is to find the heart of the story and uncover issues women face while serving in the military. If you want to be encouraged by the stories of military women and be inspired to change The world. Keep tuned for this latest episode of women of the military. Aveda is currently serving in the US Navy and has been on active duty for 12 years. She is a human resource officer, currently seated station in Phoenix, Arizona, and a mother to two children, a son who's seven and a daughter who's fat. Welcome to the show. I'm excited to hear your military story.
Evita Sales
Thank you for having me. Glad to be here.
Amanda Huffman
Let's dive in with Why did you decide to join the military?
Evita Sales
So I come from a military family. Everyone was Army, my dad, my grandfather, my brother, so I've always been around the military, I grew up with it and seeing my dad at his events and things. The thing that stood out the most was the camaraderie and the team atmosphere and it just seemed like so much fun and and also a challenge at the same time. And those are things that attracted me. But what made me go for Navy was in high school I did Junior ROTC, which was the only Navy in my high school offered offer that no other branches service. So, there I was exposed to Navy. And I think that's what kind of sold me on the Navy. Ultimately, I definitely wanted to serve, but that's why I chose naming.
Amanda Huffman
So you have a family tradition of serving in the army and then because of Junior ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps), which you can do in high school. Then it was Navy and you were like, Oh, this Navy thing looks interesting. So what route did you go Did you enlist or become an officer?
Evita Sales
I went straight to officer. So not directly out of high school. So I went to college first undergraduate at Penn State, and I spoke with recruiter there and when I graduated, I went to OCS (Officer Candidate School).
Amanda Huffman
So that's it. So you didn't do ROTC in college. You just were a normal college student.
Evita Sales
Yeah, that's right. Normal college experience. Although I did look into Naval Academy, I looked into ROTC, but at the time, I don't think I was ready to go that route. And so I at least got the college experience by still had the burning desire to serve. I think I just wasn't ready, I guess at the time to do it until I graduated. And I was like, Okay, now I'm ready.
Amanda Huffman
So what was the process like to become an officer? Did you just put a packet in? Did you go into a recruiter office? Or how did that all work?
Evita Sales
So I did go to recruiting station near me. By that point, I was graduated. I had already been graduate about four years before I actually pulled the trigger with the recruiter. And so I went to the office, put, you know, put an application a package, and they kind of gave me an idea of what availabilities there were and kind of steered me towards certain direction. And then I worked with that recruit the entire time. And so it took about six months, I think from start to finish.
Amanda Huffman
And then did you have to go to MEPS and do that before you left for your training?
Evita Sales
Oh yes, I had do the MEPS, how to do the duck walk all the fun stuff that goes into that they still do. And I went through MEPS New York is the one I went through. So I'm from New Jersey originally, so so that was the closest one to us. So I did there and had that fun experience.
Amanda Huffman
And then what was officer training like?
Evita Sales
So OCS in the Navy, we have Marine Corps drill instructors that train us. So we have like a triad. We have a class officer, which is usually like an O-3 naval officer. That's kind of like our mentor and like models, Officer like qualities. Then we have the Marine Corps drill instructor that just kicks our butts, disciplines us, works us out physically. And then we also have a senior enlisted So it can be like a Senior Chief or an E-7 or E-8 typically. And they're also like a part of our class team. And so they also do disciplinary things as well. But it's really the Marine Corps drill instructor that really like whips us into shape the, towards the beginning, at least, throughout the whole process. So, so that made it challenging in itself, you know, they're very fit, you know, they want us to be physically fit, but also, you know, like a whole person kind of thing, you know, but also, you know, knowing, you know, nautical tradition and history and all the stuff that goes into learning being an officer customs and courtesies, you know, so we got the whole gambit in 12 weeks.
Amanda Huffman
So it was pretty intense. Yes. And then what did you do after you graduated, you became a Ensign, and which is same as a second lieutenant in the air. I think all the other branches, right. Coast Guard, a postcard. Yeah, I've interviewed them but still, I forget I just got in trouble. So you're on oh one and Ensign and you Where did you go to what was your career path?
Evita Sales
So I commissioned in March of 2008. And after that, next month, I went straight down to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. And that's what we do is we do like our initial flight training. So I went straight there, started. I didn't wait very long the class up immediately started like my first trainings for flying. And then after there I spent about a little over a year in Pensacola flight training, and then I went off to Jacksonville, Florida because by that point, then I was going P-3. So those P-3 Charlie aircraft, so large for prop multi engine aircraft use the main mission set is sub hunting and servicing So I went off to Jacksonville to do training for that. And then after Jacksonville then I went to my Squadron which was in Hawaii. So it was P-47. So that was my, my first Squadron.
Amanda Huffman
Wow, Hawaii, that sounds like a nice assignment.
Evita Sales
And then from there, like about two months in, then we deployed. So they split the squadron and half half went to Iraq, and the other half went to Seventh Fleet, which was Okinawa, so that's where we were based out of Kadena at a squadron there and then we flew missions out in Seventh Fleet AR which is like, you know, the South China Sea, Malaysia, like all those fun places. So I was in that part of the squadron and then so then while while I was there, we did those missions. And then after we got done with that deployment, I came back to Hawaii and then and then I was over at the wing for patrolling Reconnaissance Wing to and by that point, we were gearing up for rimpac Rim of the Pacific, which is every two years years on, even here. So that was in 2010. And so I was helping out with that at the wing and doing public affairs type stuff and, and by that point, so I realized that a long term career in aviation wasn't for me. And so I will really look into re designate to public affairs. So my Squadron allowed me to go and do public affairs work experience. I did Fleet Week in New York City, they allowed me to fly out and do that. And so by the end of Rim of the Pacific then I was off to the designated to public affairs. So that was my first designator switch. And then I became a reserve public affairs because I got off active duty, and then I went to the reserves. And then I came back to Jersey after Hawaii, and then I was drilling at a reserve Center in New Jersey. But I was also if you're familiar with with reserve drilling, then I was cross assigned to a to a public affairs unit in Washington, DC. I know kind of gets confusing so I kind of work in the two places. And then I was working on my MBA at Rutgers University. So I had a lot going on and during my second year of MBA studies when I became pregnant, so that's when you know, I met my future ex husband. I was pregnant with my first child, then graduated, and then as I was a Lieutenant Junior Grade (JG) by that point, and then I had my first child, so I have to, and then I'm still a Reservist. So then graduated my MBA degree still drilling reservist. And then I got a job with the Department of Health and Human Services. Afterwards, so I was living down in the DC area, a husband and a son and then realized that wasn't for me government service job, at least not not at that time. Then I found these orders to come on a definite recall back on a temporary active duty and that was in our Navy personnel headquarters, which is in Millington, Tennessee. And So I went there, I was on definite recall orders. And then I was working in a transition office. So what that office did was it worked with people who were leaving active duty and transitioning to the reserves or getting out. So I got to talk to, like so many hundreds and hundreds of people who were leaving active duty to find out why they were leaving active duty, and what they were going to do afterwards. So it was really insightful. And so I counseled them on their options, their benefits, and kind of give them some ideas of what they can do. Haven't been a reservist going from active to reserve is night and day because it's almost like two different worlds. And so I help them with that to navigate that and get them set up for success in the reserves. So, so as I was working there, I tried to come back on full active duty so like, which is indefinite recall, but they had no more quotas for public affairs officers. So while I was there, my director said why don't you go to Human Resources, you know, it would be good for you. And by that point, I had already separated from my husband at the time, we were split, not quite divorced yet. And I was pregnant with my second child while working there when I got all those orders. So, so he says, you know, be good for you as a single mom, I'll give you more stability and the Human Resources community, but you can still serve and still make an impact. And so I put my package in and I got picked up for human resources while I was there. So that's my next change of professions in the Navy.
Amanda Huffman
Let's talk for a minute and talk about when you went back on active duty not fully on active duty with the orders that indefinite orders. Were you separated from your spouse? Was he in the military to or was he a civilian?
Evita Sales
So so when I took the job when I was at department Health and Human Services, I was only there for about two months. And before I saw the advertisement for the orders come up, and I would we would have been pregnant at that point, I applied for the orders, and I let them know that I was pregnant. And they still let me come on the orders. And then, so it was kind of like a clean break. So then him and I separated. And then I took off to Tennessee. And then he stayed behind in the apartment we were in, and then I went off and my mom joined me. So she was she's been my support ever since. To help me with the kids. Until this day, she lives with me right now. And she helps me while I'm working and everything take care of the kids and all. So she's been a tremendous help. So I haven't remarried or anything. So not yet at least. Civilian!
Amanda Huffman
So you guys were kind of already separated or like getting separated? And that's why you were looking for a new job. It wasn't the separation that caused it or was that like the nail in the coffin?
Evita Sales
So it was so we were still together when those orders came up. So the plan was for him to join me and we were going to go together as a family. But by that point, you know, it was already kind of like on his last leg, the relationship so you know, he you know, he was in abusive, he wasn't a good husband. Nowadays, fast forward to present we get along and looking back, you know, he feels bad. He was going through, you know, tough time. And he had some emotional challenges and some mental health issues at the time that that contributed to that. And so, but then it got to the point where as as the day was coming closer to leave, which is the end of May, I knew he wasn't going to come because we were already kind of split and then so it was kind of a rough split. And then we broke off and then I went on my own. Yeah,
Amanda Huffman
Right, with your mom, which is a huge help for for you, because being in the military isn't easy to be a single mom. So did your mom just know that you needed help? And then she was willing to come and help you out? Or how did that all work?
Evita Sales
So it was it was a Yes, so to all of that. But you know, having been a military spouse herself. She understood what she was getting into. By joining me. She was also retired. So she didn't have to worry about work. And she's also single. So she she's not remarried or anything. So she had no strings that were keeping her anywhere. So she was free to join me. And, and I think, at the same time, she enjoyed the lifestyle missed it. And now she's kind of like living vicariously through me now. So, so it passes all the way around.
Amanda Huffman
And I didn't even think about that you grew up in the military. So your mom knew what it was like to be a military spouse. And so she knew like what she was signing up for, to help you out and she knew what the sacrifice was that would be required. So that's, that's awesome that she was able to, she was able to do it, and it's continuing to do it. What's been the hardest part of being in on active duty and being a mom, and it could even be like and having your mom as a helper what's been the hardest part
Evita Sales
The personalities oh my gosh, like everybody's an A type personality. My mom, she's so feisty. My kids, there's, you know, it's so dealing with that. And then also, you know, having to get up and, and come to work and all and my mom is 72 so she is older. So she's kind of like not as active as she used to be. So I'm picking up a lot of slack. So my time is very tight, like every day, I'm still in a doctorate program. So I'm still doing that, working full time trying to stay fit, take care of kids, take care of my mom, you know, we're sharing one car. So it's just like, the timing of everything and trying to do all the things I need to do in a day is really hard. And you know, and then you know, the personalities and all that go into being in my house. So it's it's interesting, but I think it makes me sharper, it makes me stronger as a person. So it's definitely a you know, I definitely see the good in it.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah. And have you had to travel for work while you've been on active duty or get a pretty secure spot where you don't have to move around a lot,
Evita Sales
well, I do travel, not on a regular basis. It says, in the Navy, you know, our jobs, they always want to do some kind of training, you know, either a new training or a refresher training, or some conference or some meeting that we have to go meet somewhere halfway across the country. So I do that a few times a year. Usually, it's like no more than a week apiece. So usually just anywhere from a couple days to a week, maybe four or five times a year to do certain things. So it's so it's doable, it's manageable.
Amanda Huffman
Sometimes I feel like people think that the only time military parents are away from their families is when they're deployed. But there's also like conferences and TV wise and training and like all these different things that people still have to do. And so it's not just because someone asked me like, Well, how do you survive Her husband's deployed. I'm like, well, that's he's not deployed. He's just gone a lot. I think this travels a lot. And it's so it's hard. What else has been challenging about being in the Navy? I know you started out as a pilot, and then you switched. And then I switch to human resources. Was there anything about being a pilot that you said you couldn't see yourself doing that in the long term? So what was like? What about the job made you think that it was a good idea to switch and find a different career field?
Evita Sales
Well, so naval flight officer, so when I first joined recruiter kind of steered me towards that, I guess, because they needed more women in aviation at that point. And so it wasn't my first choice to do that. But then, you know, that's kind of like what was available was to do that. And so I was like, you know, I'll make the best of it. And I'm glad I did. And I definitely, you know, I learned a lot in the process, but it was never really anything else. Passionate. About and I know people are really passionate about flying and aviation and I'm tremendously grateful I got that experience, but it just it didn't sit right with me and what I'm comfortable with and my talents and skill sets. So I always thought I can best contribute in another way. So public fares human resources I was that was more of my alley. But, you know, I do like the challenge and military service I could have did something like diving officer, I thought that would have been cool or something like that. But like that wasn't available at that time. So it just it just really ultimately just came down to me not really being passionate about it. Not really. It wasn't really resonating with me.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah, that makes sense. And you really liked pa then you didn't have any possibles kind of. Same thing, but and now you're human resource officer and do you like what you're doing now? Is it something that you want to continue to do? Or would you jump if you had the chance to go back to PA?
Evita Sales
No, I'm pretty set where I'm at. It's it's Think of it like a tree with branches or human resources community has a lot of different directions. You can go, you can, you could be like a training and development specialist, you could be a recruiting expert, you could be great with like manpower and policy, or the number crunching operations analysis type stuff. So there's a lot of different ways you could go and a lot of variety and billets. And so I really liked that about it. And that really keeps me engaged. And I really love working with people. I love helping sailors with their careers, the people interaction and I get that in human resources community, but also more stability for my family and me, especially my situation where it wouldn't be great if I was deploying twice a year, you know, or like half a year or like for a year or so. So it definitely works and I'll finish off here.
Amanda Huffman
And do you guys move around like every four years or does the Navy keep you in like one place for a long period of time?
Evita Sales
The officers tend to move around every two years or less? Yes. So my track record has been two years at every job or less. So anywhere between 20 and 24 months has been like my track record at different commands. So, yes, I do move a lot. And it that, you know, has its challenges in itself, with kids getting older stability in schools and friends starting to come into that now. So, you know, if we can pull it off where it doesn't hurt your career to stay in one place for a longer period. That's great, but it doesn't always work out that way. So,
Amanda Huffman
Yeah, that's good. Your kids are seven and five. Is your daughter in kindergarten yet? Or does she start next year.
Evita Sales
She's in kindergarten.
Amanda Huffman
So they're, they're in school. And then how long have you guys been where you are now?
Evita Sales
We got we got here in July, a couple months ago, July.
Amanda Huffman
So you've just moved in. How was it for your seven year old because As my kids are getting older, and like the first move my son was one and it wasn't really a painting, no. And then this last move, he was five, he was in Kenner starting kindergarten and it was a lot harder for him. And I feel like the older they get the harder it gets on them. And then on me,
Evita Sales
So yes, it this time coming over here, my son, my daughter can give as much shooting gripe as much. I think she's still kind of kind of young. But my son did. He was upset. He was like, I want to stay back with my friends. So he kind of started that. And I suspect that when it comes time to rotate out of here, the same thing is gonna happen, you know, and they really liked their school. They really like where they're at. And he likes his last school. I knew that when we were in Pennsylvania, and so, but he got over that quicker, but I think, you know, a time it may not be.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah, kids are resilient, but it's still hard for them to have to pick up and move. And so you have like eight ish, more years. And so yeah, that's a lot more than most. But if you were a reservist,
Evita Sales
So with OCS, the your clock starts when you show up. So I showed up in November of. So right here in November 2 will be my anniversary date of 12 years. And so that's when the clock starts, not when you commission. So when you first show up, and so when I did reserve time, I lost like, almost three years. So I still have like about, what 10 years to go,
Amanda Huffman
Yeah. But you like your job, and it's got good stability for your family. And so, yeah, besides being a single mom and serving in the military, have you had any other challenges while serving in the military?
Evita Sales
Yes, actually, I got diagnosed with diabetes. So I have I have that that I'm dealing with right now. And that becomes challenging to, to not only all the things I explained before about school, you know, balancing everything act. Now I have to really watch what I eat. Now I have to watch my sugars. I have to keep control of that. And so that's another added challenge I didn't anticipate, such as being fit and in shape. I didn't expect to get a diabetes diagnosis caught me off guard. So, so I'm dealing with that. That's a big challenge.
Amanda Huffman
So how did they find that? Was that just through your yearly physicals, or did they catch it in another way? Or did you just not feel good?
Evita Sales
I was feeling off. So I was getting sleepy at my desk when I normally wouldn't. And I was struggling to get through my days, I had two symptoms. I was always thirsty, frequent urination, dry mouth, all the classic symptoms of diabetes. And I didn't realize that until I was going to apply for life insurance, and they did bloodwork and then they told me my sugar's were too high. I'm like, wow. So then I went into the military treatment facility on the base. And then they, they gave me the diagnosis was that I had it and this is coming on almost three years now that I've had it. So Wow.
Amanda Huffman
And you never really had anything like that before. It just kind of popped up. Does that affect like in And like, are you on a profile? Or do you get a waiver for PT? Or do you still have to meet standards
Evita Sales
Still have to meet all standards and the only only my only restriction now is that I'm not allowed to go to Sea going billets. So, and that's part of the reason why I'm here now in Phoenix, I was initially supposed to go out to sea. And I was really excited about that I really wouldn't want to go, because really like our only chance as a human resources officer to get operational time and I really wanted to do that. But they told me I couldn't because of my risk or high risk. So they didn't take me and so they rerouted me to Phoenix where I'm at now.
Amanda Huffman
So what do you see on the horizon from now until you get out? Do you like have a career path plan or do you just take it one assignment as
Evita Sales
A little bit of both. I think it's definitely good to kind of think downrange and try to make the moves to get to where you ultimately want to be and so on. I always thought it would be great to, you know, our our community has one flag billet and the Chief of Naval personnel, which I think would be like the epitome of a human resources officers job is not yet designated as a human resources or anyone who's HR can do that job. I think at some point, maybe when my time comes, I'll have a chance at that. So thinking long range impact, what can I do to make make it better for women in the military? For anyone who wants to serve? How can I do that? And so each station along the way, I try to try to work towards that and then eventually get to a point where I can really makes a big, big impact. So I think long range I definitely would like to go as high as I can go and continue helping others.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah. I think I think that's a good plan. And that's really all you can hope for to do the best that you can and have big dreams and see where you end up. So my last question is What would you tell girls who are considering joining the military?
Evita Sales
I would say, go for it, do it. We need more women in the military. I'm hoping that before I leave service, we get to 50% women in the military that matches the job force, you know, percentage and women are, we're just as capable. That's all a myth that you know, our minds are different and they're we're not as capable we are and we can make great Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and we need more women. So join Don't be apprehensive, you know, embrace it. It's nowadays even more medical for single mothers do it. A lot of things have changed along the way. The women before and even men have paid paved the way for women to serve better now. I mean, it's, you know, we can all do it and I highly recommend it as a career path for for women to choose.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah, I agree. There's been so much change and Things modified for women just since I got out in 2013. And I'd see with all the jobs opening up and all the things that I'm hearing about, there's even more changes to keep to make it more easy for families to say, and I know, I said that was the last question. But being a mom and doing like school and working, like, do you feel ever like you are overwhelmed? Or have you found a good system for like work life balance?
Evita Sales
I think it's important to have have releases, you know, have, you know, to try to strive for that, yes, it's so hard some days. I'm just like, My God, my life is so hard, you know, but I these are things that like, these were goals of mine, that I really want it and I was like, I'm going to make it work somehow. You know, persistence, despite setbacks, I'm like, yeah, I'm a single mom. It's like, my time is limited. I'm going to make it work. I'm going to get my doctorate. I'm going to you know, you know, take the hard jobs. I'm gonna move if I need to. I'm going to do all the things I need. I need to do, I'm going to make it work, I'm going to be there for my kids. And I'm going to, I'm going to get it done somehow I'm gonna make it because you know, when you're single mom, and everyone's depending on you, like failure is not an option. It's like, you got to make it happen. So, so that's my thinking, I'm like, I'm going to succeed some some way somehow. And so I kind of see it as like my obligation to do well and everything and to put my best foot forward, and then, you know, and make it make it happen.
Amanda Huffman
Well, and it sounds like you're on a great track, and you're doing so many great things. So I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy life. To be on the podcasts. It's, it's been really interesting to hear about, like, all the different pivots that you've had along the way and how you're still going forward and making adjustments as life happened.
Evita Sales
Yes, ma'am. And I'm happy to be here when I saw your, you know, book and podcasts. I'm like, Yeah, I gotta get on that. You know, it's like we, you know, we got to help each other, you know, women, we got to support each other, help each other out. And so I was like, yeah, I'll help To support you any way I can. And I do that for, you know, for anyone, so I'm glad to be here and thank you again for having me.
Amanda Huffman
Yeah, thank you. This is great. Hey, everyone. Thanks for listening to this week's episode. I wanted to let you know that this week I'm doing a bonus episode on Thursday with first command and I would love for you to come back on Thursday to check it out. Have a great week. Thank you for listening to this episode of women of the military. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any of the amazing stories I have with women who have served in our military. Did you love the show? Don't forget to leave a review. Finally, if you are a woman who has served or is currently serving in the military, please email me at airman to mom@gmail.com so I can set you up to be on a future episode of women of the military.