I was born in 1977 in the outskirts of Newark, Ohio. My name
is Lisa Parrott. I grew up on a small farm before moving into the
city for middle and high school.

Before joining the service I was attending college at Denison
University, working on a psychology degree. My grandfather
served in World War II and my uncle served as well although I’m
not sure during what period.

I enlisted as a reservist in the Marine Corps at the start of my
junior year, and transitioned to the officer program before going
to OCS the summer before my senior year. Because of this I did
not attend boot camp and was commissioned after graduating. I
enlisted to make some extra money while in college, and to get
self-defense training. I joined the Marine Corps because it’s the
best, and I enjoy a challenge.

I started my career at Cherry Point, NC as the Supply Officer for
MAG-14, the largest air group in the Marine Corps. From there I
became the Base Property Officer for Kaneohe Bay, HI and then
relocated to Camp Pendleton, CA as the Supply Officer for the
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

During my career I participated in Ulchi Focus Lens in South
Korea, and two deployments with the 15th MEU. During the first
deployment we entered Iraq as part of the surplus and our base
was rocketed. I supported combat teams by going into the city as
a female searcher. On the second deployment I ran the logistics
efforts for Infinite Moonlight in Jordan.

The hardest part about combat is wondering when it’s going to
be you next. Sometimes it feels like the worst lottery around,
chance and luck play so much into your opportunity for survival.
Seeing good people struck down by random events is frustrating,
because there is very little you can do about it most of the time.
Coming back is even worse – seeing how much people take
the US and life for granted is difficult, and a bigger cause of
depression and PTSD than I think we realize.

I was living in Seattle when Osama bin Laden was killed. At the
time I was preparing to move to San Diego to join my deployed
other half. I had already left the military by the time Iraq ended
and moved into Operation New Dawn.

Adjusting to civilian life wasn’t too bad after coming home, other
than getting used to handling anger and how much people take
our country and their opportunities for granted. It’s frustrating
to not be able to solve the problems in our country. I get upset
seeing how entitled people in government (with power) and those
with money treat our country in such a manner. Having people
screw with our benefits is scary, and the horrible inefficiency in
the VA is appalling.

War changed my perspective and the way I look at the world.
I have a deep love of anyone who serves in the military and the
families that support them.
~ Lisa Parrott, U.S. Marine Corps

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