Jessica Rose Johnson, A Calendar Featured Defender, had a few inspiring words to share with Female Defender:

I am the daughter of two amazing Air Force parents. I wanted to be someone my parents could be proud of, I wanted to be a Marine.

-Jessica Rose Johnson

I went to boot camp in Paris Island a couple weeks after my high school graduation: An experience that would change my life forever.

I became one of the few, the proud, I became a Marine.

No one will ever be able to take away the blood, sweat, and tears it took to earn that title.

Regrettably, After many injuries and the end of my enlistment, I left the Marine Corps on a medical discharge.  I will never regret my time in the Marine Corps and I would do it all over again.

I was later selected to compete on Team US for Invictus. I competed in track, field, rowing, cycling, and swimming. I ran against girls who are now some of my best friends and found myself standing next to a couple of them on the podium.

Track was my Bronze Medal moment!

-Jessica Rose Johnson