Military life is virtually the only life Rachel Jordan has ever known.
Her father, Robert Albano, served 23 years in the Air Force before retiring in 1994, and now, 30 years later, Rachel is following in his footsteps, retiring after 24 years of service.
Both completed their military journeys at Ellsworth Air Force Base. “I never really thought about joining the military,” Rachel said.
“I did two years of college, going to a school in Omaha and then one in Philadelphia. It was almost like I was using college as a way to move around and see the world.” Growing up in a military family, Rachel spent much of her childhood moving around living in England and Germany with various stops across the United States. Those early adventures sparked her love for travel. This passion for exploration, combined with a desire for independence and a clear direction, led her to consider joining the Air Force.
“I’d come home every summer after college, stay with my parents, and rely on them for a car,” Rachel recalled. “I was also still unsure of what I wanted to do. I was going to school to be a teacher but wasn’t sure I was at the right college to set me up for success. I was nervous about where I would be after graduation.”
The thought of the military continued to resurface.
“I kept thinking, I will get a paycheck, a place to live, and money to buy a car. I will be able to move around and pay for college.”
That solidified her decision.
In 2000, she walked into a recruiter’s office and enlisted.
A Pivotal Decision: Embracing the SkillBridge Program
The majority of her more than two decades in the Air Force were dedicated to serving as a public health officer, where she educated the military community on disease prevention and championed overall wellness. This role, in many ways, aligned with her original college pursuit of education.
In addition, she briefly served as a commander’s executive assistant and a first sergeant, mentoring the airmen and women and helping with their career development and success.
It was during her time as a first sergeant when she first learned of the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which offers service members the opportunity to gain valuable civilian work experience through specialized training, apprenticeships, and internships in their final months of service.
“I was learning about these programs myself and sharing it with the people below me,” she said. “I really pushed that these programs were available to get them on their feet and set them up for success once they leave the military.”
When her time came to participate, however, she was hesitant.
“At first, I wasn’t going to do the program. I didn’t want to leave my office high and dry,” she said adding they were going through some changes at the time.
Several people, including her flight commander, urged her to apply for the program. “She said ‘this is your future,’ I am so glad I did it.”
Rachel connected with Taylor Davis, Elevate Rapid City’s senior workforce development and partnership director, who matched Rachel’s breadth of knowledge and experience with Monument Health.
“She really did a great job,” she said of Taylor. “I told her some of my interests and skills and she took that and found a place that fit me very well.”
Rachel interned in Monument Health’s ambulatory services division, working in many different areas and clinics, including urology, general surgery, dermatology, and ear, nose, and throat. “The team was very good at integrating me into the day-to-day stuff.”
She enjoyed working in a wide variety of environments, something she also enjoyed with her public health position. “I stayed in the military for 24 years because I enjoyed diversity of public health, the job, and the ability to have my hands in a lot of different things. It was similar to being in the hospital setting on the civilian side, playing a part in all the different clinics.”
A Bright Future: Transitioning to a New Chapter in Healthcare
With her service in the military ending, Rachel is nervous yet excited to start her new civilian life.
“I am sure at some point it will really set in that I am not part of the military lifestyle anymore since it has been such a big part of my life,” she said. “I will always have an attachment, but I just won’t be in the know and won’t actively be part of that team.”
However, she is ready to join her new team.
“Since joining Monument Health, I’ve realized they are a major employer with a strong presence in the community. It’s been great to see how much they’re committed to both supporting their employees and giving back to the community. They care not just about the health of the community but about making a positive impact.”
That mission closely aligns with her experience with the military, making a smooth transition for Rachel.
“That’s one of the reasons I’ve enjoyed working at Monument Health. Leaving the Air Force’s tight-knit community felt like a big change, but stepping into the Monument community has been like joining a new network, and that’s been really neat.”
Rachel hopes to continue working with Monument Health and Ace Berry, the nursing director of ambulatory services at Rapid City clinics, as she builds her new civilian life in the Black Hills alongside her husband, Adam, and their seven-year-old daughter, Dagny.
