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Local recruiter dons multiple hats: Airman, mother, now published author

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandria Mosness
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  It all started out as a passion for English and a love for writing for one Airman here, and that same passion manifested itself into a published novel for young adults.

Tech. Sgt. Bethany Lopez, 337th Recruiting Squadron Sumter recruiter, recently published a book for young teenage girls called, "Ta Ta for Now!" The title is in reference to the way the main character Missy signs off in her journal. Missy, is starting her freshman year and the book shows the woes and triumphs in a young girl's life.

This career path was not always the chosen one for the Dearborn, Mich. native. In fact, the 14- year Air Force veteran even left the military for a few years to pursue school.

I decided to Palace Chase, go from active duty military to Guard or Reserves, Lopez said.

But with five children and going from two incomes to just one was not easy and school took the backburner, Lopez said.

"I went straight into the workforce," the recruiter said. "I worked at two big hotels in Las Vegas. The money and the job were good, but my husband and I were on different shifts. And, I was missing out."

My son told me one day that he liked it better when I worked with Dad, she said. I knew right then I had to get back into the military.

"I've experienced it all: the college aspect, the civilian workforce and the military, and I will tell you this, the military is the best job," said Lopez, who entered the Air Force when she was 20 years old.

The benefits, the time off and the family orientation just can't be beat anywhere else, the mother of five said. The different careers throughout my life have helped me tremendously being a recruiter. I can truthfully tell the people who come to me why the Air Force is the best.

So at the age of 33, Lopez found herself back at the Military Entrance Processing Station with the young recruits going through the whole process of getting back into the military.

"I had to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and the do the physical all over," she said. "I was told my old career field was not accepting anyone, and I had the option to cross train into another career or perform a special duty. That is when I chose to be a recruiter."

Lopez completed recruiter training and was stationed in Sumter, S.C., as part of the 337th RCS.

While she always wanted to write a book, she never had the patience to make the short stories she penned throughout her life longer. But when her husband, Master Sgt. Jaime Lopez 20th Component Maintenance Squadron acting first sergeant, went TDY, she spent nights and weekends writing her first novel.

"It sort of became a project between my girls and me," Lopez said. "I would write a little bit, and then they would read it and give me their opinion."

While Lopez had never been patient enough to write a book, she said it surprisingly only took her six-and-a-half weeks to write "Ta Ta for Now!"

And, who was the first person to see the final finished product?

"My mother was the first person I sent it to," Lopez exclaimed. "She has her Master's and helped me edit."

It wouldn't seem odd that she sent it to the one person who she looked to as a role model her whole life. She said her mother was a chief master sergeant in the Air National Guard, and she aspires to be a Chief in the Air Force.

Along with her mother, Lopez had another big supporter - her husband.

"I was blown away," said Jaime Lopez. "I knew she loved reading and writing, but didn't have any idea she was going to start writing a book. She totally took me by surprise when she told me that she was writing a book, with a storyline loosely based on our girls' trials and tribulations."

Once her oldest daughter Jamie read the book, she told her mother, "You do understand what a teenage girl feels like," Lopez laughingly said.

"I tried to be as realistic as possible and put in good lessons in there without sounding too much like a mom," the Sumter recruiter said.

With the first book published and out in the buyer's market, Lopez already has plans on the sequel.

"The next book will continue following the main character in her next year of high school," she said.

As for advice for upcoming authors, Lopez said to keep at it.

"You really can do anything," she reiterated. "In this last year, I have gone zip lining, parasailing, and I am now published author. You can win every competition as long as you never stop pushing yourself."

For more information on Lopez or where to get her book, visit http://bethanylopez@weebly.com. She will also be signing her book at the Shaw AAFES Aug. 26-27 and at Ft. Jackson Sept. 2-3.