Everything you need to know about Tulsi Gabbard after she quit her job

Gabbard spent more than two decades in the military before becoming chief of intelligence.

While serving in the Hawaii State Legislature in 2003, Gabbard took the oath of enlistment in the Hawaii Army National Guard and underwent nine weeks of basic training.

“Throughout history, some generations have been given everything, and now, in this generation where there is a war on terror, I feel honored to have the opportunity to give,” she said at the time. “I promise my constituents that my service to the military will in no way interfere with my service to them.”

A few months later, the Army Reserve soldier joined the 29th Brigade Combat Team as a rank specialist in a 29th Support Battalion medical company.

“As a proud local girl, former state representative and soldier fighting terrorism in Iraq, this was truly an honor and a cherished experience. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she said, per The Honolulu Advertiser.

The combat veteran served a total of three deployments to the Middle East and Africa during her military career. She became the first woman to receive an award from the Kuwaiti army after leading a military police platoon in Kuwait.

In 2007, she graduated from Accelerated Officer Candidate School at Fort McClellan, Ala., making history as the first woman in the academy’s 50-year history to be named a distinguished honorary degree.

From 2007 to 2009, she also served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.

Gabbard currently serves as battalion commander of the 1-354 Regiment in Tulsa, Oklahoma.