Sacrifice. Everyone who takes the oath of service understands it, and it means something different to each of us. We each face unique experiences during our service that, in the end, compose the story of our struggles, successes and failures while leaving a lifelong impression on our character.

For one particular Sailor, the journey is one filled with setbacks, detours, conflict and doubt that would astound even the most seasoned veteran. It's a story of seemingly insurmountable adversity, surpassed only by an individual's perseverance and willingness to serve.

Lt. Jocelyn Roman enlisted in the Navy in 2000. After graduating high school and dabbling in college, she decided the Navy could help her reach her goals.

"I wanted to become a legalman (LN), but it wasn't available, so I signed on as an undesignated seaman with hopes that I would later strike into the LN rating."

Roman was soon headed to Guam for her first tour aboard USS Frank Cable (AS-40).

"I did on-the-job training for LN and started looking towards cross-rating, all while researching about officer programs, which I became very interested in," she said.

As her tour on Frank Cable drew to a close and she started preparing for her next assignment aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4), Roman's plans took an unexpected turn.

"I was about to become a mother," she said. Instead of heading to Boxer, she ended up working as a legal clerk at transient personnel unit (TPU) legal.

Because undesignated seamen were not permitted to strike LN, she chose to strike signalman (SM) while at TPU, with the plan to cross-rate to LN later in her career. Roman's peculiar luck continued when the SM rating was absorbed into the quartermaster (QM) rating. Agitated by yet another change and another step farther from her goal of becoming a legalman, Roman adjusted her life and transferred to Amphibious Construction Battalion One (ACB-1) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

Roman deployed to Iraq with ACB-1 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in summer 2003, but not before submitting a Seaman to Admiral 21 (STA-21) package. She returned home in time for Thanksgiving, but the relief of being back on American soil with her family was short-lived when she received an unexpected phone call on New Year's Eve.

"We were going back," she said.

Tentatively, the detachment would deploy for three months, but there was no guarantee they would get to come home on time.

"This short notice deployment was very nerve-wracking for me being a single parent again."

Roman would soon learn of another fork in her career road.

During deployment, Roman's Perform-to-Serve results forced her into a new rate, yeoman (YN) full-time support (FTS).

"It was the only option given, and because I wanted to serve, I accepted it. I experienced the YN rate when I was at TPU legal, so I knew I could do it," said Roman.

"Prior to taking the FTS YN rating, I had taken the advancement exam for SM2 while transiting home with Boxer. Results came back and I made SM2," said Roman. "During this time the SM and QM ratings merged, and although I took a signalman test, I was now a QM waiting to become a yeoman. Because of the timing of the merger, my SM test was voided, and I remained a third class petty officer."

"I remember being very disappointed and angry. I was the only one who didn't get frocked that time," she said. "I decided to stop at nothing to become a Naval officer."

"STA 21 did not happen that year," she said. "Life happened."

She went to YN "A" school, then to Navy Recruiting Area Pacific, which fell under Navy Recruiting District (NRD) San Diego.

"The Recruiting District welcomed me aboard, then said the command was disestablishing!"

She bounced between NRD San Diego and NRD Los Angeles for the next year.

She grew increasingly impatient waiting for orders.

"One day I told my Chief I would be fine going to Iraq," Roman said. "Someone must have been listening, because two weeks later I got individual augmentee (IA) orders back to Iraq!"

She couldn't believe her luck and started to doubt her career choice.

"Paying back tuition assistance money, or getting discharged from active duty because I could not execute my family care plan, was not an option, so I leaned on my family to care for my child and executed my orders," Roman said.

The IA orders sent her to Camp Victory, near Baghdad, in May, 2006. YN3 Roman briefly filled in as the unit's information technician.

"I did the job to the best of my ability, though the duties were not in line with the YN rating."

When a personal security spot opened up for Brigadier General Kathleen Gainey, Roman jumped at the opportunity to apply. She was selected and remained on the detail for the duration of her tour.

"I saw a lot of action while I was deployed there," she reminisced.

Roman's voice softened, her expression solemn, as she struggled through the memory of one of the most vivid, life-changing events of her career.

"We had to wake each other for reliefs. Sometimes, rounds and mortars would make it into the camp. One day I had to wake up my relief, and we had been under attack the night before. When I went to open the hooch to wake him up, I realized he and his roommate had been hit while they slept."

Roman, then 24, struggled to cope with the frequent gun and mortar fire and IED attacks.

"The attacks are things you kind of look out for," she said. "When you really actually see what mortars do to someone, the images affect you beyond explanation."

Roman eventually rotated back to the States, with orders to SEAL Team 17, the west coast reserve center for SEALs, located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. She was home all of 2007, except during training cycles, and she was able to achieve her Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration that winter.

In March 2008, Roman deployed back to Iraq supporting SEAL Team 3, as part of a women's outreach program for civilian women in west Anbar Province and Northern Iraq. She integrated and traveled with the team, meeting and greeting the local female population along the way.

The SEALs trained her to clear obstacles on a .50 caliber mount, and she earned a spot on the actual watch when they realized how good she was. Roman said the experience was surreal.

"I had to man the .50 cal a couple of times, which served as proof to the troop commander that I could handle the job."

Between thoughts of her child at home and the intensity of operations, Roman's emotions ran high during the deployment.

"I did some real soul searching during that tour, but like so many times before, I kept pushing on. I tried not to feel, if that makes any sense. You're with a bunch of SEALs. Crying was the last thing on my mind. I was just trying to do my part and keep everyone safe. I knew that our main goal was to get from point A to point B alive."

The team returned home late in 2008, just in time for the holidays. Roman was named SEAL Team 3's Sailor of the Quarter, an uncommon recognition for a Sailor on temporary assigned duty. She also earned her Expeditionary Warfare qualification during the tour.

"This achievement proves that the environment you work in doesn't necessarily have to impede you from reaching your goals," she said with a smile.

Life Happens is Roman's favorite motto.

"In 2009, life happened in a good way." Roman said. She took the YN1 exam in March, and was selected and frocked that summer. Meanwhile, she had submitted an Officer Candidate School (OCS) package in the spring and was selected for the Surface Warfare Officer community.

She attended OCS in Newport, Rhode Island, where after 12 weeks of "cold, rainy, and very challenging" training, YN1 Roman earned her commission and became Ensign Roman.

Roman spent a little time with her family before heading to USS Green Bay (LPD 20) for her first, and an abbreviated, division officer tour.

"I became a mom again with my second child," she said.

She was transferred to Expeditionary Strike Group 3.

"The tour at ESG 3 was definitely a learning curve for me as my first tour as an officer. I did what I could to use my time wisely while earning my master's degree in business administration. I figured why not, I was able to achieve my bachelor's under much more stress."

Her following tour aboard USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) in spring 2012 offered another chance to complete her Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification, although she was on a different platform now and had to start the qualification process over. In just over a year onboard, and after completing nearly all of her qualifications, life happened once again.

"I became pregnant with my third child. Yet again another blessing," she said. "The timing was inconvenient for my surface warfare qualification, but my kids are my inspiration."

She served 18 months as training officer at Assault Craft Unit 5, then transferred to her current command, USS Makin Island (LHD 8).

"The captain was not concerned about time on board as much as my surface warfare knowledge. He gave me the opportunity to finish my qualification taking into consideration my background," she said with a large smile. "It was a huge weight off my back knowing I did not have to start from scratch, and I very much appreciated it."

In February 2016, during an emotional ceremony in the Makin Island wardroom, Commanding Officer Capt. Jon P. Rodgers shared Roman's story with the crew and officers. Some attending knew about her journey. Most did not, as their expressions unmistakably attested. Even for Roman, hearing her own story retold was not easy. Rodgers carefully affixed the gold pin to Roman's uniform, tears streaming down her face.

"You have shown us all what it means to overcome incredible adversity," said Rodgers. "You are a true inspiration, and you have earned the coveted title of Surface Warfare Officer."

Roman views her SWO qualification as a major milestone in her career, but she admits it's not the end of her journey.

"Life happens, and I may decide I want to be a stay-at-home mom after I hit my 20 years of service, but at the same time know that what I've done up to this point in my life and my ability to hold strong has been 100 percent for my family and this country."

Roman said she could see herself staying up to 30 or even 40 years on active duty and believes everything that happened to her along the way made her stronger, both maternally and professionally.

"I'm a firm believer that you learn something new every day, and you should never quit unless you are completely sure you have given it your all," Roman said.

"It's easy to throw in the towel and say 'I'm done with this,' but when you look at the grand scheme of things, the sacrifice is worth it. You serve because you believe your contribution, however slight, will impact the way of life of those around you, and I want my kids to have a better life and be inspired by my achievements."

Lt. Jocelyn Roman knows what it means to sacrifice, to stare down misfortune and to move past setbacks. She understands what it takes to realize your goals and to make the best of your situation. Her story is one of courage and perseverance. The story of a SWO's successful journey we all may want to remember the next time "life happens."

For more news from USS Makin Island (LHD 8), visit www.navy.mil/.