This week we’re joined by Coast Guard Veteran, Yeoman First Class Tinunola Adelakin.

YN1 Adelakin enlisted in the USCG in 1999 after learning about the military’s GI Bill and how it could help her finish college.

There are not many E-3s (non-rates) who would volunteer for sea duty because at that rank it’s almost a sure way to get confined to being a mess cook. Tinunola didn’t mind. She was just glad for the change in atmosphere.

A few years after joining, the cutter she was assigned to pulled into a port and let everyone out for liberty…on the morning of September 11, 2001. Because of how quickly everyone was recalled, about 21 people were left behind. Not Tinunola. Her strong intuition is not only what kept her level-headed during her 20-year career, it’s also the reason she didn’t get left behind.

Tinunola’s Coast Guard ...