Despite facing multiple setbacks in her pursuit of a military career in Kenya, Winnie Adipo never lost sight of her dream, eventually finding success across the ocean.
Growing up in Nairobi, Adipo was captivated by the military, often attending fairs to watch drills and performances.
Her aspiration was to join the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), but this path proved challenging. Adipo applied to the KDF four times, only to face rejection each time. She cites pervasive nepotism and corruption within the recruitment process as significant barriers.
“The recruiter told me, ‘Give me 200,000 shillings and I’ll fix you in,’” she recalls.
Coming from a modest background, with her father as a high school agricultural teacher and her mother a nurse, raising such an amount was impossible. This financial obstacle dashed her hopes of serving in the Kenyan military.
However, fate had other plans for Adipo.
In 2015, she won the US Diversity Visa Program, commonly known as the green card lottery, and relocated to Tacoma, Washington.
Her move to the United States marked a turning point in her life.
While navigating the complexities of settling in a new country, a chance conversation with a driver during a social security application led her to a military recruiter. This encounter opened the door to realizing her long-held dream.
Adipo was determined to join the US military, but she needed to become a US citizen first.
She enlisted in the Air Force and excelled in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a test used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces.
Her high scores allowed her to pursue a career in the medical field, aligning with her interests and skills.
Upon enlisting, Adipo trained as a health services management expert.
Her dedication and hard work paid off quickly.
She completed technical school and basic training with distinction, rapidly advancing in the active Air Force.
In 2018, Adipo received below-the-zone status, a recognition given to exceptional young enlisted airmen, granting her an early promotion.
Within three years, she achieved the rank of staff sergeant and is now the noncommissioned officer in charge of personnel administration at the 56th Medical Group at Luke Air Force Base.
