Hello! My name is Melana Griffee, and my identical twin sister is Navy Recruit Maegan Muse. She left for training on March 17th, 2021!

We grew up in New Bern, North Carolina, and call it our home today. Ever since we were able to talk, we have been best friends. We played sports together, were in the same classes together and had the same friends. We even worked together at the YMCA from age 16 until we were 21! We both love fishing, being outside, working out together, and hanging out with friends and family!

Like many teenagers, we both had trouble (still do) figuring out what we wanted to be in life. A teacher, a nurse, a physical therapist, we didn’t know! After high school, we attended a private college to play lacrosse. We soon realized that was not for us, so we went back home and started back classes at Craven Community College. I graduated with my AA degree while Meg attended the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. 

Still…..something wasn’t right. I knew Meg had a passion for helping people. She was in the BLET program to become a police officer, but I think God had other plans for her. She had been talking about the military ever since we were in high school. My family and I were pushing her to do what was going to make her happy. After years of going back and forth, Maegan is now pursuing her dream of becoming a United States Sailor.

Even though we have never been apart from each other for this amount of time, I couldn’t be more proud of her! She is the toughest girl I know and has such a big heart for helping and leading others. Is it hard? Yes. I am sure it is for all families with loved ones at boot camp. But I know that all the tears and stressing out will be over in a couple of weeks, and I will get to call my sister a Sailor! 

I hope those reading this know that our recruits are being well taken care of while at boot camp. They make new friends and will become better versions of themselves throughout their time away from the outside world.

Before my sister got on the plane, I said this, “Remember how proud we all are of you and how much more proud you will be of yourself!” I hope that is sticking with her throughout her journey!

Thank you for reading my story. More to come.

Malena G.

Categories: Navy, Recruit Training

Tags: Navy