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Julia Drozhzhina immigrated to the United States from Russia with her mother when she was 11 years old. After graduating high school in Wisconsin, she enlisted in the Army.
“I wasn’t a U.S. citizen at that time, so I couldn’t get the MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of my choice, which was military intelligence,” she shared. “I decided to pursue being a Mental Health Specialist.”
Drozhzhina was deployed once to Iraq for a year while on active duty in the Army. Upon returning, she joined the Maryland National Guard and was deployed to Iraq yet again.
Now that she’s returned, her career focus is to help other veterans like herself in the D.C. area.
“I never thought I would live or work in D.C., but after being stationed at Fort Myer in Virginia when I was in the Army, I just fell in love with the area,” she said. “Most of my family is still in Russia.”
Drozhzhina is currently attending classes at Northern Virginia Community College and enjoys spending time with her boyfriend. She says the connections she’s made in D.C. make the transition from service member to a civilian living in a new city a little easier.
For now, her budding career as a VFW service officer is keeping her busy.
“I’m still in training, but when I’m at the Regional Office I do get to meet with veterans face to face and help them with their claims,” she explained. “And I always share my knowledge when I meet other veterans out and about or if a member of my Guard unit has a question.
“It’s easier for me to relate to veterans closer to my age of course, but I’m always glad to help any and all veterans as much as I can so they feel at peace.”
One particular veteran whom Drozhzhina helped “feel at peace” was medically discharged three years prior, but her claim went unfiled.
“This woman hadn’t worked since she was discharged and had almost given up on filing her claim. I told her about the new GI Bill, and she was thrilled at the possibility of being able to return to school.
“I helped her fill out applications for the new GI Bill and for compensation.”
Drozhzhina is glad to be someone that a puzzled veteran can “call and ask about what is going on with his or her claim instead of worrying about it and wondering what to do next.” | 
