Mara Shelton Oral History
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Oral history interview with Mara Shelton
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Mara Shelton speaks of her early life, family, military service, nursing school, and life after serving in the military. Shelton discusses her experiences during basic training, Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and in the National Guard band. Shelton also talks about nursing school, her experience in the reserves, and her transition back to the Army National Guard. Shelton speaks of what everyone around her perceived of her and what changes the Army National Guard (and Air Force Reserve) went through at the time of her career. Shelton discusses what the most rewarding part of her military experience was and what she thought of the military and political leaders at the time. Shelton speaks of her thoughts of 9/11, the Afghanistan operation and Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Fort Hood shooting. Shelton also speaks of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and the removal of restrictions of women in combat arms. Mara Shelton wraps up by speaking about leaving the military service, the impact it had, and the benefits that were at her disposal.
