Support Vanessa’s vision surgery to join the Marine Corps

My name is Vanessa Jacobo and ever since I was younger, I've wanted to join the military and serve my country as my relatives have. I’ve always felt drawn to it and as I entered senior year, I knew for sure it’s what I wanted to do with my life. At first, I was going to join the Navy but my path changed to the Marine Corps. When I first talked to my recruiter, I was still set on the Navy but that quickly changed when I did PT (physical training) with the marines one day. I love to be challenged so I knew the Marine Corps was the perfect branch. I grew even more drawn to the branch when I started learning about their values, cultures, and traditions. I signed all the papers and went through the whole process to join. I was accepted and was sent to bootcamp on August 14, 2023. I was thrilled and excited that I was going to achieve my biggest dream.. until that dream was crushed.

On the first week of bootcamp, they gave us another physical and they disqualified me for my vision. I was devastated. Although I was very confused and hurt, I still had hope. They told me that if I were to get vision surgery, I could go back to bootcamp and actually train to earn the title, United States Marine. The surgery is 11k, I have saved up 3k so far. I need to go back before this November because I took the physical and ASVAB in November 2022 and the results of both tests only last 2 years. If I don’t go back before November, I’ll have to do the whole process again and I’m afraid that they’ll find another reason to disqualify me at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) because they try to disqualify as many people as they can. It would mean everything to me if you donate to help me reach my dream. Thank you.