Emily Wall’s life has focused on service. She has faithfully served her country, her community, and her family. A former active-duty military police officer, she now serves in the Kentaucky National Guard Reserves and is a full-time deputy with the Adair County Sheriff’s Department. Wall manages both careers with the responsibilities of motherhood.
“I literally prayed and said if this is what I am supposed to do, write red letters in the sky. I just said it in my head, and we were driving to Campbellsville. It was the paratrooper day, and they jumped over Green River as soon as I said that in my head, and I was like, ‘This is what I’m supposed to do with my life,’” said Wall.
Wall had her sights set on joining either aviation or military police. At the Military Entrance Processing Station, the recruiter told her that neither job was available at the time. She was leaving when the recruiter stopped her and said that if she wanted to be military police, someone just dropped out, and she had to decide immediately.
Wall joined the military in February 2020 and went to basic training and one station unit training to prepare her for her job at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After six months of training, she was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado.
Wall initially enlisted for four years of active duty in the Army, but after her daughter was born, she transferred to the Kentucky National Guard Reserves.
The armed forces and military police are predominately male fields. According to former Sheriff Josh Brockman, Wall is the first female deputy that was hired, trained by the sheriff’s department, and assigned to patrol. She graduated from the Department of Criminal Justice Training in March.
“If you even think about it, and you consider it, just do it because you will regret if you don’t,” is the advice Wall gives to anyone contemplating joining the armed forces.
Wall said that she has friends that now regret not joining with her.
“If you even think about it, go for it. See if you are eligible and get going. Four years goes by pretty fast. You don’t think it does, but it really does,” she said.
Wall, who has a 3-year-old daughter, Raelynn, says that managing military service, policing, and motherhood can be challenging.
“It’s hard,” she said. “If it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m thankful that they allow me to do it and help me out.”
“But honestly, if it wasn’t for her [Raelynn], I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I do. I wouldn’t be in the Guard. I’d probably still be active duty,” said Wall. “It’s hard. I don’t know how I do it to be honest.”
“Some nights I get off shift and have to pack my bags to go to Richmond to Guard. I go once a month and two weeks in the summer. There’s also details that they make us do like the Derby,” she said.
For Wall, service isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. She hopes her work in both the Guard and the sheriff’s department sets an example for her daughter and other women considering a life in uniform.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
