The Intersectionality Between Art and Service

Today marks five years in the United States Space Force, and I’ve found myself standing at a crossroads, reflecting on the threads that have connected my military service to my identity as an artist. Transitioning from the structured life of a Space Force officer to the boundless, expressive world of art has been a journey of healing, autonomy, and rediscovery.

Healing Through Art

Like many service members, I carry the weight of experiences and transitions unique to military life. Art has provided a profound avenue for processing the emotional and mental burdens that accompany such experiences. Through painting, I have found a safe space to explore complex feelings, channeling them into something tangible and meaningful. This creative process has been instrumental in fostering resilience and providing a sense of individuality and balance amid the challenges of military life. Now, as I prepare to transition out of active duty, painting is a cornerstone of my identity, giving me freedom of self-expression and a means to process my journey while connecting with others through shared creativity.

Art in Military Traditions

The military has a long-standing relationship with art, often using it to tell stories, boost morale, and preserve history. Murals, in particular, hold a special place in this tradition. Before I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2020, I had the privilege of contributing to this legacy by painting two squadron hallway murals. These murals weren’t just art- they were visual time capsules, capturing the essence of cadet life, honoring significant quotes, and celebrating the evolution of airpower. Each stroke of paint reflected the spirit and tradition of the Air Force Academy, a microcosm of the larger military culture.

Five years later in my Space Force unit now, I am creating a new mural, one that aims to enhance morale and reinforce a shared identity. This project is more than a decoration- it is a unifying effort to highlight a legacy of space operators and provide tangible representation of our mission and values.

The significance of art in the military is even present on the uniforms we wear. Designing both official and morale patches is a creative tradition that builds unity and fosters a sense of belonging within units. Official patches often represent a unit’s mission or history, while morale patches allow service members to showcase humor or camaraderie in a less formal way. I have had the privilege of designing both! It is very rewarding to transform digital artwork into tangible pieces of clothing, posters, rugs, mugs, coins, and so much more, because patch designs should act as an emblem of pride for anyone belonging to the unit.

The act of creating art also brings service members together. For example, during a garrison-wide contest last Christmas, each squadron was tasked with decorating a wooden tree. These projects weren’t just about the finished product but about the process, an opportunity for team members to contribute ideas, share stories, leave their mark, and celebrate their unit pride through creativity. Events like this one highlight the capacity for art to foster unity and strengthens bonds, even in a regimented environment like the military.

Lastly, art stands out as one of the military's most profound and enduring traditions of gift-giving, serving as a deeply personal way to honor individuals and celebrate their unique contributions. I’ve had the privilege of creating pieces for service members as going-away or retirement gifts, each tailored to reflect their contributions and journeys. Some gifts included paintings where unit members signed the matte frames. One particularly memorable project was creating a painted boomerang for an Australian military ally who served alongside us during his tour in the U.S. The boomerang symbolized the connection between our forces and celebrated the camaraderie that transcends borders.

Reflections on the Journey

As I step into this next chapter, I’m grateful for the ways art has bridged my military experiences and my personal evolution. Painting has allowed me to honor the past, heal the present, and build a future rooted in authenticity and expression. The murals, contests, and projects I’ve been part of remind me that art is not just a personal endeavor- it’s a shared journey, one that connects us to each other and to the stories we carry. And as I continue painting, I hope to create pieces that encourage others to find their own intersections between identity, history, and creativity.

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Squadron 34 mural

U.S. Space Force unit mural (in progress)