Kicking into high gear.

When it comes to Boot Camp, Teresa has a somewhat unique perspective. “I can’t wait to go,” she says. “I’m really into physical fitness or anything athletic. Hey, if someone invited me to go climb a mountain tomorrow, I’d be there.”

Having just recently joined the Navy Reserve, Teresa is in training with her unit to get ready for Boot Camp. “I don’t mean to brag or anything, but whenever we do any running as part of PT, I usually beat half the men and I’m always the first woman to finish.”

As far back as she can remember, Teresa has always been active and physically fit. Teresa has 14 years of formal and competitive dance experience, and she recently became interested in karate as well as ultimate fighting championships. “The karate, I actively participate in,” Teresa says. “As far as ultimate fighting goes, I’m just a fan. That kind of action is a little too wild and exciting, even for me.”

Teresa and her husband Rowell work out four to five days a week at the gym, and they began taking karate together. Teresa has since achieved her orange belt in Okinawan Goju-Ryu. She and Rowell also own their own motorcycles and go riding together whenever they get the chance.

According to Teresa, her husband is also interested in joining the Navy Reserve. “We were both considering joining at the same time. It’s just that I kind of beat him to it.”

Teresa currently serves in the Navy Reserve NPSAC unit as a Dental Tech and works full-time as a dental assistant in her civilian job. Although she really enjoys the “operationally fit” culture and aspect of being in the Navy Reserve, it is not the main reason she gives for joining. “I joined for the benefits,” Teresa explains. “Especially the educational benefits. I’m going to be applying to a hygiene program soon, and it’s wonderful that the Navy Reserve will cover 75 percent of the cost.”

The benefits, however, weren’t the only reason for joining. “Whenever I would see a Navy person on TV or in the community, I would think they looked really good,” Teresa recalls. “There’s a lot of pride and power behind that uniform.”

Now that she has her own uniform, Teresa can’t help but feel proud of what she’s done and what she will do. After Recruit Training, she plans on going through Fleet Marine Corps school. Upon successful completion, she will then be assigned to a Marine Corps unit. “Every dental tech is afforded this opportunity, but not many people accept it,” Teresa says. “I think this has to do with the difficulty of the school. It’s basically more Basic Training, but for Marine Corps. And I hear at some points, it’s taught by Navy SEALs. Hey, that’s right up my alley.”

Teresa lives and works on the West Coast.