It was 9:30 when I was called down to the school office. Walking in, I thought I was in trouble. I saw the Chief Master Sergeant from the Junior ROTC program, and another Muslim girl also in a hijab like me. I was so terrified, but they told me, “Ooh, honey, you’re not in trouble.”

They told me that if I wanted to stay in JROTC and be able to wear my head- scarf, I would need to send six letters to the Air Force JROTC Headquarters in Alabama. The letters had to come from my dad, my religious leader, my house dean, the head of the high school, the Lt Col of the Junior JROTC program, and me—all confirming that I needed to wear the headscarf for religious reasons while I was in the program.

I had decided to join the JROTC program three month before, in the spring of my junior year. I had wanted to join dance, but my Dad wouldn’t allow me to because I wore the hijab. I had been so excited to be in the JROTC program because it teaches you good conduct and helps you to develop good character and citizenship.

But here I was in the office, being told to write six letters in order for me to wear my headscarf with the uniform. The feeling that I got was like a knife pointing into my heart. I told them that I would discuss it with my dad. At home, I remember my dad asked me, ‘’Mariama, why are you so quiet?’’ I told him about the letters.

My dad thought that I should quit since we didn’t have a permanent religious leader at the time and he didn’t have the time to gather everything so quickly. I felt overwhelmed. I felt like I should go back to my country because I have never come across such discrimination in my life. I wasn’t thinking straight. The pressure was too much, and I decided I wasn’t going to be in the program.

But then, I met with my mentor teacher, who also wears the hijab. She asked me if this is something that I was really passionate about, and if so then I should go for it. She told me if I did this, I would become the first person in the school in JROTC and wearing the headscarf, and that could be a great inspiration for other students.

The Lt Col was very kind and helped me write the letters, and she asked me to take them home for me, my dad and my religious leader to sign. I also had to take a picture in my uniform and headscarf to send to the Air Force. While this was all happening, one day we were having a very big inspection, and everybody was in uniform, except me. Because I was not in uniform, a high-ranking cadet asked me to leave the hall. I was so ashamed. I wanted to dig into the ground and bury myself.

Two weeks later, I got called again into the office. The Sergeant was there. I was worried that I would be asked to leave the program. But instead, the Lt Col told me, “Congratulations! You can now wear your headscarf with the uniform.” I became the first woman at my school to be in JROTC wearing the headscarf. I don’t know how to explain the feeling I have inside of me. It was a huge challenge, but now I know I can belong in any society, no matter who I am and how I dress. I now believe I can be accepted.

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