CWV Book Corner, October: Air Force Veteran Amanda Huffman

Each month, VA’s Center for Women Veterans profiles a different woman Veteran author as part of its Women Veteran Authors Book Corner. This month’s author is Air Force Veteran Amanda Huffman, who served from 2007-2013.

Amanda Huffman, author of “Women of the Military”

Huffman wrote “Women of the Military,” a compilation of 28 stories featuring women who are currently serving in the military, have separated or retired. There are four stories from women in the process of joining, 14 stories from Air Force members, eight stories from Army members, one from a Navy member, and one from the Marine Corps member. Huffman shares even more stories of women service members on her podcast, “Women of the Military.”

The below is from an interview that CWV conducted with Huffman.

Where and when did you serve?

I served for six years in the Air Force as a Civil Engineer (32E3G). I deployed to support OEF from February to October 2010. I was assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (Kapisa). Our mission was to work directly with the Afghan people within Kapisa through various projects. I was primarily responsible for managing the construction projects that consisted of schools, roads, bridges and other government buildings.

What was your proudest service memory?

I’m proud of all that we accomplished during our deployment. Our team faced many challenges, but we worked together to try to help the Afghan people as much as we could. But the biggest take away from the deployment was the friendships that I made, and I’m grateful to still be friends with some of the people I deployed with.

What are you doing now?

I currently host “Women of the Military” podcast where I share the stories of women who have served. I am also working to help girls as they consider military service. I have a book coming out in the fall, “A Girl’s Guide to Military Service.” I am also a freelance writer for Clearance Jobs and Spouselink.

What was your inspiration for becoming an author?

I have always wanted to be an author. I was planning on creating a blog series with the stories in Women of the Military but after launching the podcast I decided creating a book would be a better choice. I have more books I want to write and I’m excited about the future.

How has your military experience shaped your creativity or how you express yourself?

The military has given me a story. My life was ordinary until I joined the military, and then it became more interesting and made me unique through the different experiences I had. It also lit in me a passion to help others, something I have always had inside of me but [now with] the desire to find a way to help others.

What advice would you give other women Veterans who may be considering becoming an author?

Start where you are. Build your network. Start writing and then keep moving forward. I started my journey writing for five minutes once a week. Over time it grew. It is a lot of hard work and a lot of learning, but it is worth the hard work.

How can women Veteran authors shape society’s understanding of women Veterans’ military experience and their contributions?

It is important [for me] to capture and share the stories of women on my podcast. I love that I have had the chance to interview several women Veteran authors and helped them expand their reach.

What were some of your obstacles and challenges in writing this book?

I didn’t know what I was doing. But I was able to use my network and Google to find a way forward. I’m grateful for Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing that made it possible to self-publish my first book.

What are your recommendations for illustrating, book cover selection and the publishing process?

I think figuring out what the right path for your book is very personal. Do research on different options (self-publish, hybrid publisher, small publisher, large publisher, etc.). And then follow your path. Rejections are part of the process so don’t give up even when it is hard to keep pushing forward.

What is one significant thing we should know about you?

I have another book that was released in September, “A Girl’s Guide to Military Service: Selecting Your Specialty, Preparing for Success, Thriving in Military Life.” I can’t wait to share it, and [I] hope it can help others in their journey to military service.

How has writing this book helped you?

I found my passion for telling the stories of women who have served. The more women I interview the more stories I want to hear, and the more important I find it is to tell those stories. This book changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without writing it.

What is your favorite quote?

“As you go the way of life, you will see a great chasm. Jump. It is not as wide as you think.” by Joseph Campbell.

If you could choose one woman from any point in time to share a meal with, who would she be?

I recently finished the Woman Who Broke Codes and I think it would be fascinating to sit down with Elizabeth Freedman and talk to her about her experience. How she juggled working and being a mom. And what inspired her to do the amazing work she did.

Are you a woman Veteran author, or do you know of one?

Please visit our website to find out more information. If you have further questions, contact me at Michelle.Terry2@VA.gov.