Lenna Rodriguez on Army Service, SkillBridge, and Finding a New Mission
In this episode of Oscar Mike Radio, I sit down with Lenna Rodriguez, a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3, to talk about her remarkable journey of military service, transition, and continued advocacy for the veteran community.
From Utah to a 20-Year Army Career
Lenna shares how she overcame a challenging upbringing in Utah and went on to build a diverse 20-year Army career. Her service included roles in supply, civil affairs, military intelligence, and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
Her journey demonstrates how military service can create opportunities for growth, leadership, and purpose while preparing service members for challenges they may never have anticipated.
Using DoD SkillBridge to Transition from Military Service
Eventually, every service member faces a major question: What comes next when you take off the uniform?
Lenna and I discuss how she approached that transition and used the Department of Defense SkillBridge program to help bridge the gap between military and civilian life. Through SkillBridge, Lenna was able to prepare for her next chapter and ultimately begin a new career as a talent acquisition strategist.
Her experience highlights the importance of preparing for military transition before the final day of service and using the resources available to veterans and transitioning service members.
Advocating for Women Veterans
Retirement didn’t end Lenna’s commitment to serving others.
She shares her work with Final Salute Inc., supporting women veterans experiencing housing crises and helping ensure their service and needs are not overlooked. We also discuss her participation in Miss Veteran America and how the program helps bring greater awareness to the challenges facing women veterans.
Lenna’s advocacy demonstrates that taking off the uniform doesn’t mean giving up the mission.
Connecting Veterans with Resources and Support
We also talk about Lenna’s involvement with America’s Warrior Partnership and efforts to connect veterans with resources, community, and support.
Our conversation touches on the critical importance of veteran suicide prevention and reaching veterans before they find themselves facing a crisis alone.
Lenna’s story is about much more than a successful 20-year Army career. It’s about finding purpose after military service, continuing to serve, and using your experiences to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Thank you, Lenna, for sharing your journey with me and the Oscar Mike Radio audience, and for continuing to be Oscar Mike!
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