NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Rebeca Lisier grew up with a dream that wasn’t entirely her own. It was born of her father’s unfulfilled hope of wearing the uniform and serving his country— a dream not fulfilled by a health diagnosis. When he passed away, Lisier was just six years old, the weight of that dream didn’t fade, it transformed.
For Lisier, the Army wasn’t just an aspiration; it was her father’s dream— her grandfather’s legacy as an Army Veteran— now, she vowed to carry the torch forward. But life had a way of testing her fortitude.
At just 16, Lisier was ready to enlist in the United States Army. Graduating high school early, she rushed to a Recruiter only to be told that she was too young and had to wait at least until her 17th birthday. Before that year ended, her plans took a turn when her mother became ill and she set the Army aside to stay home and ultimately, went to college.
Time moved on. She met her husband, a Future Army Soldier— and started a family, raising three children. While her days were filled with demands of motherhood and the rhythm of a “traditional life”, the dream of wearing the uniform never left her. It wasn’t just about her father’s dream anymore; it was hers.
Years passed, and it seemed like her Army aspirations might remain unrealized, until a chance encounter at the York Fair in York, Pennsylvania in 2023 reignited her fire. Lisier and her husband met Staff Sgt. Brady Slack with the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, who offered more than encouragement; he offered raw honesty.
Lisier, unlike her husband, had to go through multiple waivers before she was able to join the United States Army. Months of waivers and working on her own health, she was still unsure if the Army would accept her. However, she always fell back on what Staff Sgt. Slack had told her, “This would be hard” he said. “But if this is what you want, I’ll go through it with you.”
Looking back, Lisier credits Staff Sgt. Slack for his honesty and encouragement. “He didn’t sell me a dream,” she said “he made me believe in myself. He was transparent about the challenges and stood by me every step of the way. The Army is a better place with him in it.” she shares.
The Fight for the Dream
Lisier’s journey was anything but easy. While her husband quickly shipped off to basic training, her own path was littered with obstacles. She needed waivers to clear medical hurdles and faced the same haunting fear as her father— that she would be medically disqualified from joining the Army.
But Lisier was determined to break the cycle. Juggling family life, EMT training and a return to college. She fought for her dream with everything she had. Her children, watching their mother push past every setback, saw more than a parent—they saw a warrior.
After months of paperwork, preparation, and persistence the call finally came. Lisier was in. She was finally able to ship to basic training and earned her place as a 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic— A Soldier ready to serve, just as her father had dreamed.
A Legacy Fulfilled
Today, Pfc. Rebeca Lisier serves alongside her husband, proving that resilience and grit are forged in the fires of adversity. Her six-year-old calls her a superhero, and her oldest dreams of one day following in her footsteps.
Her advice to others facing obstacles and needing special waivers, is straightforward, “be prepared, be relentless. Find someone who believes in you, and never, ever give up”.
For Lisier, the Army is more than a career— it’s a mission to prove that strength lies in perseverance, that dreams are worth fighting for, and that no obstacle is too great when you’re determined to overcome it.
Today, Lisier is living proof that the Army is more than a career— it’s a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself. Pfc. Lisier reminds us that the Army doesn’t just shape Soldiers— it reveals the warrior that’s already inside.
For those who dare to dream, her story is a call to action: overcome obstacles, embrace your strength, and show the world what you’re made of.