What I've Learned: Jennifer Casas

Photo By Sgt. Charles Santamaria | After attending Chapman University and receiving her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Casas worked as a corrections officer at the County of Riverside Juvenile Hall for three years. She would go on to attend Chapman for her master’s degree in psychology all while enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for 14 years with six being Active Reserve status. Casas is currently a knowledge operations officer, communications master sergeant and serving as the alternate installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator aboard the Combat Center.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

07.01.2014

Story by Cpl. Charles Santamaria 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - After attending Chapman University and receiving her bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Jennifer Casas worked as a corrections officer at the County of Riverside Juvenile Hall for three years. She would go on to attend Chapman for her master’s degree in psychology all while enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for 14 years with six being Active Reserve status. Casas is currently a knowledge operations officer, communications master sergeant and serving as the alternate installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator aboard the Combat Center.

I began playing music in my high school’s band. I didn’t keep playing after high school but I do like many genres of music ... I attend music festivals like Coachella and concerts throughout the year to see new artists, experience the atmosphere, and live performances.

I received my bachelor’s degree in social sciences at Chapman University. After my first degree, I began working at the County of Riverside Juvenile Hall. I went back to Chapman and continued my education to receive my Master’s degree in psychology.

I have been enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for 14 years with six being Active Reserve status. In the Air Force, I am a Knowledge Operations Officer, communications master sergeant.

On the Air Force side of things, I am also a Uniform Victim Advocate so I am familiar with the programs that I will be supervising aboard the Combat Center.

When I began working at the County of Riverside Juvenile Hall as a corrections officer, it was difficult to get used to the environment.

While working there, I was with the maximum security section of the hall. There were minors there who were sentenced for 25 years to life. Realizing the situation they were in and acclimating to that was a challenge and a learning experience.

I worked there for three years and the experience helped me realize that I did not want to work with people from a correctional perspective but more from a mental health standpoint.

I joined the reserves to pursue my education and accomplish my goals in the psychology field. Being a full-time student and meeting my military requirements has been a challenge throughout the seven to eight years of schooling.

Although I ran in high school, I only got really big into running after I enlisted in the Air Force. I started running more and more and began to enjoy it. I began participating in running events like the Camp Pendleton Mud Run.

I love running but I’m not the fastest, and that’s because I don’t run for competition; it’s more of a therapeutic experience for me.

I’ve always hated the treadmill, so I enjoy running in areas with attractive scenery.

My favorite run was in Holy Oak, Mass., for the St. Patrick’s Day 10-kilometer race. Running in the fall as the leaves were turning was beautiful and added to the event.

I’m big into music and I go to a lot of music festivals. The ambiance, the culture, the people, and actually seeing the live performances of songs I like make it more enjoyable. Music is a big part of my life … It gets to the point where the song or playlist I’m playing corresponds to how I feel at the time.

There was a time when my son was with me in my car and a depressing song came on, he listened to the music and immediately said, "Really mom, depressing music? What are you upset about this time?" … People who really know me understand how closely music plays to my mood.

I’m looking forward to working with Marines aboard the base. They have been very professional and I respect that about them.

I wanted to pursue criminal justice at first but as I began working, I realized I wanted to help people with how they thought about things through mental health. From that point, I knew psychology was something I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in and eventually a doctorate to start my own practice to help as many people as I can.

I’m happy to be here on this installation, it will be a challenge overseeing programs for a base of this size, but sexual assault can be prevented through educating the community.

• Date Taken: 07.01.2014
• Date Posted: 07.02.2014 20:01
• Story ID: 135186
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US