ASHLEY PIPKINS

Petty Officer Second Class Intelligence Specialist, US Navy
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health from Houston Baptist University

Ashley enlisted in the U.S. Navy with the desire to see the world and serve the country doing something selfless. As an operational intelligence analyst, she completed two western pacific tours and deployed to Japan service.

Ashley was witness to many things coming from a small family she had not been prepared for, mentally broke her down. Today Ashley suffers from severe migraines and depression as well as other service-connected disabilities. Thanks to the support of her mother, she has been able to continue to work hard and, as a single parent, push forward to create a great life for her and her children.

Despite the struggles Ashley has had with her own mental health since leaving the military she has turned those hardships into her drive to pursue her education. Following her time of service, she completed a bachelor’s degree in human services and consumer science from Texas Southern University. Ashley immediately began attending Houston Baptist University for a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and learned about Sentinels of Freedom from a fellow Sentinel. Eventually she hopes to work with veterans who suffer from similar struggles as her own like within the Veterans Administration or the Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Center. As the first in her family to pursue a graduate degree, Ashley looks forward to receiving assistance with networking from Sentinels of Freedom as she steps into her purpose. She is on track to graduate with her degree in May 2021 and is receiving financial support during the pursuit of her education.

In her spare time Ashley volunteers at the Houston Food Bank and spends as much time as possible with her children, Abigail, and Ashton.

“Everyone (at Sentinels of Freedom) is so amazing, and I am so grateful for this opportunity.”