Jennifer Isenstadt

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about her childhood as a "military kid" in Florida, Naples, and Illinois. Her father was a data processor for the United States Navy. She discusses what it was like to move often and her father's career.

Keywords: Chicago (IL.); Florida; Hampton (Va.); La Maddalena (Maddalena Island, Italy); Langley Air Force Base (Va.); Naples (Italy); Naval Station Great Lakes (Ill.); United States. Navy--Data processing technicians; West Virginia

Subjects: Childhood; Father's Naval Career

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about the reasons she joined the Navy, which revolve primarily about her connection with it growing up and her family's tradition of military service. She also discusses why she choose Information technology as her MOS.

Keywords: Computer programming; Information technology; United States. Navy--Nuclear propulsion plant operators; United States.Navy

Subjects: Choosing Information technology; Family's military history; Reasons for joining the Navy

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt enlisted on August 21, 2005 and attended basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes. She discusses how she felt about hiding her transgender identity throughout her service and the importance of privacy.

Keywords: August 21, 2005; Basic training; Naval Station Great Lakes (Ill.); Recruiting and enlistment; September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001; Transgender identity

Subjects: Basic training; Hiding transgender identity

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about her grades during "A" school and how they allowed her to pick her duty station in Naples, Italy. She discusses living in Naples and how she met some former colleagues of her father and were able to connect them to him via Skype. During that time she lived in Pinetamare Towers and recalls socializing with other seamen, and how her life changed when she got the Internet.

Keywords: Information technology; Internet; Military culture; Naples (Italy); Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station; U.S. Navy Base Capodichino, Naples (Italy)

Subjects: Base culture; Duty Station Naples

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt related the story of her first day in Naples where she was taken to see her quarters only to find a horrific surprise. This led to her receiving private quarters elsewhere on base.

Keywords: Barracks; Death; Duffel bags; Elevators; Naples (Italy); Post-traumatic stress disorder; Roommates

Subjects: Story about her first room and getting private quarters

Segment Synopsis: daily help desk, 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet networks, online transgender network

Keywords: Computer networks; Information technology; Naples (Italy); Nightclubs; Online chat groups; Postal service; Security; Training; Transgender Network; United States. Navy. Fleet, 5th; United States. Navy. Fleet, 6th; United States. Navy. Fleet, 7th

Subjects: Daily routine - work; Leisure time

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt discusses her decision to leave the Navy because of an impending ship-based duty assignment. She was ordered to attend therapy for depression and was eventually medically discharged for Gender Identity Disorder. She describes the discharge process, a final email to her Navy friends, and how she would have liked to have managed her departure.

Keywords: Adult child abuse victims; Gender identity; Manic-depressive illness; Military discharge; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Psychology, Military; Psychotherapy; Transgender people--Identity

Subjects: Leaving the Navy; Medical discharge; Military Psychotherapy

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt returns to the United States after her discharge and is able to be more open about her sexuality. Her parents divorce at this time and her mother gives her a new name. She discusses entering into sex reassignment therapy and into therapy for her mental health. Isenstadt talks about how she feels about her time in the Navy and expresses a desire to return, if she could.

Keywords: Divorce; Dreams; Military discharge; Naval Station Norfolk (Va.); Psychotherapy; Sex change; Twelve-step programs

Subjects: Beginning sex reassignment therapy; Feelings about the Navy; Parents' divorce; Psychotherapy; Transgender people in the military today

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt was admitted to a VA Medical Center to be treated for bipolar disorder and PTSD. While in the hospital she applied to receive disability benefits. She discusses saving money for her sex reassignment surgery, car troubles that cost her savings, and beginning to abuse drugs. She also recalls the surprise and joy she felt when she received her disability benefits and realized she would be able to afford the surgery.

Keywords: Disabilities; Drug abuse; Elevators; Florida; Manic-depressive illness; Motor vehicles--Maintenance and repair; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Sex change; United States. Department of Veterans Affairs

Subjects: Drug abuse; Financial issues; Veteran Benefits

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about being able to move on with her life as a woman and being able to work in the mental health field as a peer supporter. She describes herself as a "fan of the VA" and continues to be a part of veteran organizations.

Keywords: Peer teaching; Transgender people--Identity; United States. Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans--Societies; Workers--Mental health

Subjects: Working with Veteran Groups

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about what is important to know about veterans, and why they serve. She also recalls her first 4th of July celebration in Italy that ended up being overshadowed by World Cup soccer.

Keywords: Fourth of July; Phlegraean Fields (Italy); World Cup (Soccer)

Subjects: 4th of July; Patriotism and the military

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt recalls some of the trips she took while living in Italy and what she enjoyed about the country.

Keywords: Alcoholic beverages; Bars (Drinking establishments); Capri (Italy); Colosseum (Rome, Italy); Leaning Tower (Pisa, Italy); Rome (Italy); Significant Others; Strikes and lockouts

Subjects: Sea stories

Segment Synopsis: Isenstadt talks about, after completing her transition, how she was able to see her mental health problems more clearly. She talks about how getting help for herself allowed her to help others. As of 2016 she was working for "my recovery works" and COVA, the Center of Vocational Alternatives.

Keywords: Depression; Manic-depressive illness; Peer teaching; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Sex change; Transgender military personnel; Transgender people--Identity

Subjects: Life after sex reassignment; Working with mental health services