Winnie Adipo’s journey to a military career was fraught with obstacles, yet her determination ultimately led to success far from home.
Growing up in Nairobi, Adipo was fascinated by the military, frequently attending fairs to witness drills and performances. Her dream was to join the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), but this ambition faced repeated setbacks. Despite applying four times, she was consistently rejected. Adipo attributes her failures to the widespread corruption and nepotism within the recruitment process.
“I was told by a recruiter, ‘Give me 200,000 shillings, and I’ll secure a spot for you,’” she recalls.
Coming from a humble background, with her father working as a high school agricultural teacher and her mother as a nurse, raising such a sum was impossible, effectively ending her aspirations of serving in the Kenyan military.
However, life had other plans for Adipo.
In 2015, she won the US Diversity Visa Program, also known as the green card lottery, and moved to Tacoma, Washington. This relocation marked a significant turning point in her life.
As she adjusted to her new environment, a chance conversation during a social security application connected her with a military recruiter. This encounter reignited her dream of joining the military.
Determined to pursue this path, Adipo knew she first had to become a US citizen. She enlisted in the Air Force and performed exceptionally well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a test used to determine eligibility for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces.
Her high scores allowed her to specialize in the medical field, a career that matched both her interests and abilities.
Adipo trained as a health services management expert, and her dedication quickly bore fruit. She completed both technical school and basic training with distinction, rapidly advancing within the active Air Force.
By 2018, she had received below-the-zone status, a recognition given to outstanding young enlisted airmen, earning her an early promotion. In just three years, Adipo achieved the rank of staff sergeant and now serves as the noncommissioned officer in charge of personnel administration at the 56th Medical Group at Luke Air Force Base.
Adipo’s story is a testament to perseverance, showing that even when doors close, determination can lead to new and unexpected opportunities.
