Melia Meichelbock served as a Civil Affairs Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve Special Operations Command from 2000-2008. She served in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I and OIF II, where she helped to facilitate the country’s first free election process. Melia received the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for her service in Iraq. Melia currently works as a marketing executive in the financial industry. She is a life-long learner, obtaining her doctorate degree in psychology and her master’s in business degree post deployment. She enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering; and enjoys regular visits with her family to their cabin in the mountains where they hike, fish, and bike.