THERESA VAIL
AO : You enlisted in the Kansas National Guard at 17 . Thank you for your service . What factors in your life helped you make that decision ?
VAIL : My dad was in the U . S . Army for 33 years . Even as a child , I knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps . My original plan was to go Active Duty Army after I graduated from dental school , but when I learned of the increasing costs of college , I decided to expedite the plan and join the Army National Guard to help mitigate those costs .
AO : You worked your way up to the rank of Sergeant in such a short period of time . What challenges did you face while moving forward in the Kansas National Guard ? How has being a member of the Armed Forces prepared you for life in general ?
VAIL : Being a woman in the military is not easy . Whether you like it or not , you ’ re treated differently — good or bad . I have had to work harder than most people ever will just to prove myself and my capabilities , and to show that I am more than a pretty face . Being in the military has prepared me for life by teaching me professionalism and underscoring how you only deserve what you work for in life .
AO : During your participation in the 2014 Miss America Pageant , you showed off a very meaningful Serenity Prayer tattoo , along with your platform basis being the encouragement for women to break barriers and stereotypes . As a strong woman who has proven that taking risks is worth the struggle , what words of wisdom would you offer to young people who may be afraid of breaking those chains ?
VAIL : You will never know what you ’ re capable of until you test yourself . I found my identity when I started doing things outside of my comfort zone . Before that , I was a sad , depressed , timid girl who was unsure of herself . I feel that I have finally reached the stage of self-actualization , a stage that most people don ’ t find until later in life . I truly believe there are only positives that can come from taking risks .
AO : As the host of NRA All Access presented by Franchi , what aspects of the show are most influential to you ?
VAIL : Perhaps the most influential part of hosting NRA All Access presented by Franchi on Outdoor Channel has been meeting the people we ’ ve profiled . I ’ ve come to see firsthand how many different types of people , from all different walks of life , enjoy and uphold their Second Amendment rights and their love of the outdoors . From “ bad boy ” Jesse James , to hardcore athlete Cameron Hanes , and even to pro golfer Boo Weekley who is just trying to raise his kids to appreciate the outdoors — I ’ ve garnered perspective from each and every one of them .
AO : Through NRA All Access , what has it been like to meet and hear from fellow Americans ? What does being a supporter of the NRA mean for you ?
VAIL : Being a supporter of the NRA means standing with an organization that is fully devoted to protecting our Constitutional Right to Bear Arms . There are no hidden agendas , no secrets to unfold , but simply a group of people who believe in what our Founding Fathers wrote . The NRA stands firm for me and others like me .
Being a part of NRA All Access has afforded me the opportunity to meet and hear from fellow Americans in a variety of ways . From social media to tradeshows , I ’ ve been able to communicate with other people who support the NRA , and listen to their feedback on this season ’ s NRA All Access . They love it !
AO : What is your opinion on the 2nd amendment ?
VAIL : The Second Amendment allows me to protect myself and my home . As a single woman who spends most of her time traveling alone , I find comfort in knowing that I have the Constitutional Right to defend myself should I need to .
74 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors