Hey there – I’m Major Kolleen Young (Retired)
After 23+ years leading Marines, I know life rarely goes as planned – and that’s when the real detours begin. Welcome to my world of bold detours, major adventures, and honest stories about navigating life beyond the uniform.
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Ready to explore life’s major detours with me?
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My Story
After 23+ years in the Marine Corps, I’ve learned that life rarely goes according to plan – and honestly, that’s when the best detours happen.
I joined the Marine Corps as a Private at just 17, planning on getting out after four years. Then 9/11 happened, and everything changed. I worked hard, earned meritorious promotions, and by 24, I pinned on Warrant Officer. I know – that’s incredibly young for a WO, and not everyone thought I had earned my place. Many believed I hadn’t put in enough blood, sweat, and tears. And honestly, I always felt a bit of impostor syndrome, like any minute they’d find out I wasn’t good enough to be where I was. Like any minute, they’d prove I wasn’t worthy of standing next to these brave men – these heroes.
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But here’s the truth: I earned my spot. I fought hard. Everything I did had to be better than what they did. If the men ran a 275 PFT, I had to run at least a 280 just to prove I belonged. And you know what? I belonged. I earned my place, and I’m claiming it.
From leading Marines around the world to navigating this unexpected chapter of retirement, every twist has shaped who I am today. I retired at 41, having spent more of my life as a Marine than as a civilian. The transition was hard – especially as a woman Marine. There’s no brotherhood check-in or lifelong network to see if you’re okay. You’re just… out. And after years of structure, purpose, and belonging, civilian life can feel like the wild west.
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Not long before I left the Corps, I weighed 119 lbs. Today, I’m 220 lbs. That’s part of my journey too. Life changed fast – raising kids, focusing on everyone else, and figuring out who I am outside the uniform. Now, I’m choosing to take back my health, step by step. This isn’t about returning to who I was – it’s about becoming who I want to be next.
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Recently, my second son moved away with his girlfriend with only a couple days’ notice. Soon, my youngest son plans to join the Marine Corps himself – something that fills me with pride but also terrifies me as a mom. Life is shifting quickly, and I’m learning to navigate these detours with grace (and maybe a few tears along the way).
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Major Detour is my space to share real, unfiltered moments – the lessons, laughter, travels, weight loss journey, day-to-day life, and honest reflections about life beyond the uniform. Because sometimes, the detour ends up being the best part of the journey.
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Here’s to the detours – because sometimes, they lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Contact
I’m always looking for bold collaborations, writing opportunities, or connections with fellow women and veterans navigating life’s detours and creating their next chapter.
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