● Who are you? 

My name is Christina Schauer and I am a wife, mom, nurse, and US Army Iraq War veteran.

When I decided I wanted to be a nurse, joining the Army Reserves quite literally afforded me the opportunity. Though my decision to enlist was based on the extensive gap between my income and the cost of tuition, the medical education I ultimately received in Iraq as a combat medic was an unexpected, but valuable byproduct.

In 2007, after completing nursing school with some bonus life experiences, I began working for Trinity Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health systems. A master’s degree and several nursing positions later, I was asked to launch a Military and Veteran Health Care program (Milvet) in one of the Trinity Health hospitals, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, in Dubuque, IA. This ignited my passion for veteran advocacy.   

● What challenges did you experience during transition? 

Though I officially separated from the military in 2007, my most difficult transition was my return from active duty deployment in May 2004. 

I was fortunate to have a strong support system, but transition services were much different then. Those of us returning in 2003 and 2004 were the first to come home from Iraq, so the foundation of knowledge we have now did not exist. Between being a woman and an Army Reservist, which was still commonly referred to as a “weekend warrior” at the time, I felt completely invisible as a veteran. On some level, though, invisibility felt safe because it was easier than trying to fit in. 

● How has the IAVA Cavalry & fellowship benefited you during your transition?

Though it was 15 years after my return from Iraq, I first learned that I was not alone in feeling invisible when we launched our Milvet program in 2019. That was also when I learned that this wasn’t just a feeling, but documented gaps existed for women within the systems put in place to care for veterans. While scrolling social media one day, I saw an organization focused on the post-9/11 generation of veterans promoting the Deborah Sampson Act, a bill dedicated to improving care for women and their infants. I was filled with both excitement and validation that a veteran organization had not only recognized this disparity, but was actively working to address it. I did not want to be invisible anymore.

I followed IAVA for four years before I mustered the courage to apply for a spot on the Cavalry. Since then, every one of my experiences in the Cavalry has been life-changing in some way. I have loved the opportunity to bring this experience full circle, going from novice to fellow and helping other veterans learn their way through advocacy. 

● What do you do in the advocacy space? 

In our local community, we have built a nonprofit called the Tri-State Women Warriors, whose mission is to provide connection and advocacy for the unique needs of women veterans and service members. Through our collective voices, we have raised awareness surrounding military sexual trauma, women veteran suicide, and many other important issues at the local, state, and national level. 

The IAVA has been integral in advancing the mission of our nonprofit. After making a connection with House VA Committee member Nikki Budzinksi with IAVA in March 2024, the Tri-State Women Warriors were asked to participate in a women veterans panel with the Congresswoman. I was also recently honored to receive an invite to participate on the Congresswoman’s Women Veterans’ Council.    

● How did your military experience aid in getting into advocacy?

In the military you build incredible bonds with your brothers and sisters and you fully commit yourself to ensuring their well-being. Advocacy is a way to continue that commitment after your military service has ended. 

 ● What have been some of the most challenging parts of being a veteran advocate?

Advocacy requires extraordinary persistence. I’ve come to accept that I will experience repeated failure before any advocacy victory, but the military prepared us well for that and I fully intend to stay the course.