After 29 years, MSgt Marilyn Neal Drafts retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Being a woman in the military, she learned her “capabilities to multi-task” and think differently than her male counterparts. The military “built” her up. She had gained “complex knowledge.” She became a better person because of her experiences on the tasks assigned to her during those 29 years. She openly talks about her suicide attempt in 2005. She showed resiliency by getting up from the situation she was in. She stated that the military helped her through her mental health process. 

She was the First Sergeant and was proud of it. Her AFSC was AFSC 8F000. She highly encourages women to join the military to try to go into Active Duty time for high specialization. She said that she had seen more women in the military as pilots, high positions, and a lot of progression in the United States Air Force. MSgt Drafts said that it is wonderful being able to serve our country as a female as she became a better person. She plans to continue her advocacy for teen and adult suicide prevention.