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Transferring into the Space Force

Smantha Nevling in Baghdad, Iraq, during her tour. She is accompanied by one of her canines.

Samantha Nevling in Baghad, Iraq, during her tour. She is accompanied by one of her canines. Source: Photo by Sgt. Nevling.

By Anna Vogt

May 1, 2022

Army Sgt. Samantha Nevling experienced her first deployment in Baghdad, Iraq. With the 120-degree weather and desert surrounding her, she handled canines and aided in their training.

While dressed in a full-body bite suit and standing at the ready, she braced herself for the inevitable.

Samantha Nevling had a five-second head start to sprint before her comrades sent a canine to attack.

“I got hit with an 80-pound fur-missile,” Samantha Nevling said.

For nearly 11 years, Samantha Nevling has been enlisted in the U.S. Army. She has seen many sights from Texas to New York with her husband, Dan Nevling, who was enlisted for nearly nine years. Today, she resides in Dayton, Ohio, with her family of four. While working as an Army recruiter, she was accepted into the U.S. Space Force.

According to Samantha Nevling, the U.S. Space Force is a crucial component of the military.

“It serves as a leading frontier for space operations, but it’s not going to become the new NASA,” she said.

Samantha Nevling said that before creating the U.S. Space Force, the Army and Air Force controlled the space domain. However, through the Space Force, assets are now combined.

“It’s a more cohesive operation going forward,” she said.

According to Samantha Nevling, the U.S. Space Force has high standards for entry. This makes it difficult for many to transfer into the branch successfully.

“Standards for acceptance are some of the strictest out of all the military branches,” she said.

Once wholly processed into the Space Force, she will potentially be working in satellite operations.

Dan Nevling enlisted during the same period as his wife and had four overseas tours before retiring. The two have been married since 2019 and have navigated the challenges of being a dual-enlisted couple.

“Selfless service is important in the military and with the family. Whatever time together we have, we make it count,” Dan Nevling said.

Samantha Rooks is a close friend of Samantha Nevling, and they have known each other since middle school. Rooks is also an Army veteran. She expressed her pride in her friend.

“She’s either too stubborn or too stupid to quit,” Rooks said while recalling Samantha Nevling’s efforts in the military.

Samantha Nevling plans to retire from the military, whether from the Army or Space Force.

“I have exceeded all limits and expectations I thought would hold me back,” Samantha Nevling said.

Today, Samantha Nevling is no longer in Iraq being chased by canines. However, due to her intellect and perseverance, she is still making strides within her military career.

“From the sweltering heat to the frigid cold, I’ve found that the only limits are the ones I’ve placed upon myself,” Samantha Nevling said.

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