Naomi Whidden

Marine Corps Veteran

Naomi Whidden went from fixing radios within the Marines to discovering stars in astronomy class.

Having joined up in 2017, former Sergeant Whidden served 5½ years as a floor electronics transmission methods maintainer, working with radios and communication methods that use radio frequency — issues like satellite tv for pc terminals or something utilizing satellite tv for pc networks. The primary-year, who attended the summer season rising-scholars program, stated she is trying to focus in plant sciences.

“I hope to work as a forester and possibly handle state timber or federal timber or one thing within the U.S. Forest Service,” she stated. “To handle public assets in a method that’s accountable and sustainable.”

One of many greatest challenges, she stated, has been managing expectations, particularly being in a long-distance relationship. She met her spouse, Savannah, within the Marine Corps, and the couple obtained married in 2019. Savannah continues to be on energetic responsibility, residing in Japan however quickly to be stationed in D.C.

“Loads of instances you justify being separated out of your partner by saying ‘I’m gonna go to high school.’ And [expecting] to do effectively at school. And so generally if you don’t, you’re like, ‘Hey, is it value it?’ For me to really come right here and be aside after which assume you’re doing poorly? That may be actually robust mentally.”

The bottom line is remaining centered on the long-term imaginative and prescient. “I feel that it’s essential to maintain your self balanced and never get too upset about arbitrary grades,” she stated.

Whidden, who enjoys biking in her free time and has an affinity for tattoos, encourages classmates to get to know their veteran friends on campus.

“There’s a cohesive veteran group right here, however every every individual is such a person with such completely different backgrounds,” she stated. “I feel a variety of instances there’s different college students [who] assume we’re only one sort or we’re only one political view. Or we’re all from the identical sort of material. And all of us come from completely different backgrounds, completely different sexual identities, completely different household conditions.

“Come say hello, and meet us and know that we’re all completely different and we’re a reasonably various group.”

Alissa Maerzke

Marine Corps Veteran

Alissa Maerzke stated she joined the Marines not solely to serve her nation, however “as a result of it was the toughest department, and I wished the problem.”

The 26-year-old grew up within the small city of Waterford, Wisconsin, 90 minutes from Chicago and 45 minutes from downtown Milwaukee. She graduated highschool in 2014, then did a semester at group faculty after being turned down by the College of Wisconsin.

What was meant as a prank round highschool commencement proved oddly prescient.

“The final day of highschool, our valedictorian, she wished folks to put on a shirt with the place they have been going to school. And I used to be at this sports activities retailer, and I noticed these Harvard shirts. I purchased that and I wore it,” she stated. “And she or he obtained actually mad.”

Maerzke served as an intelligence specialist throughout her time within the Corps. Beginning on a non-deployable unit, 1st Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion, she was finally chosen to be one of many first folks to combine girls into the third Battalion, fifth Marines, an infantry group with an extended historical past.

“After I confirmed up, I feel I used to be the third feminine there, and the opposite two have been an officer and a employees NCO,” she stated.

After leaving the Marines in 2020, Maerzke spent three semesters, two of them on-line, at Columbia. Not the best match, she set her sights on Harvard, and finding out authorities.

“Working in intel, I suppose I used to be very excited about worldwide relations … And I like the courses. It’s superior. Simply being round all these extremely clever school. And I’m very grateful for the chance,” she stated. “And it’s additionally actually superior for me to see Harvard accepting increasingly vets.”

When she’s not at school, Maerzke can usually be discovered atop a horse throughout polo follow.

“I actually love that,” she stated.