Jessica Lynch is a former US Army soldier who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the US and its allied forces. On March, 23, 2003, PFC Lynch was with her unit when its convoy was ambushed by Iraqi militants. Lynch was seriously injured and subsequently captured by Iraqi forces. She was recovered by US Special Operations Forces on April 1, 2003 and has received a myriad of media coverage as she was the first successful rescue of an American POW (prisoner of war) since Vietnam and the first ever of a woman. I had the privilege of talking with Jessica last month for a piece in American Veteran Magazine.



Initial reports on Lynch’s capture and rescue were deemed incorrect when she bravely stood up in front of Congress testified that she had never fired her weapon and had been knocked unconscious when her unit’s Humvee crashed. When asked about her heroine status, she stated, “That wasn’t me. I’m not about to take credit for something I didn’t do... I’m just a survivor.”


In 2014, Lynch made her film debut as SPC Summer L. Gabriel in Virtuous. Her role was loosely based on her own experiences in Iraq. Lynch currently makes her home in West Virginia with her daughter and fiancé as a substitute school teacher for elementary education. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Lynch about her experiences and what she’s doing today.

Photo Credit: Mamie Mae Burke


Brittany Slay: What we’re focusing on today is your perspective. Your story; less of what the media has been focused on. This is your interview.

Jessica Lynch: Yes, absolutely.



BS: As you recover, have you experienced any shortcomings in your day-to-day life related to your injuries sustained from the events in Iraq during your capture?



JL: Not really shortcomings... I guess my biggest thing is that I am no longer able to do the things I was able to before. And I guess that’s one of the hardest things. I’m sure that’s with a lot of these veterans who are coming back injured... For me, because my back was broken, my left femur was taken out, my left tibia was taken out... So, I’m not able to run, I’m not able to wear flip flops or high heels, some of the things I was able to do before. [She breathes] That’s one of the drawbacks - it’s like, [sigh].... I don’t let it hold me back, but it’s hard. If there’s something that I want to achieve I put my all into it and I seek after it.



BS: When going out with your family, are they pretty supportive?



JL: Absolutely! I’ve always said that I have some of the best friends and family members that, are very supportive. They’re always around, always there for me. [jokingly] Which can sometimes be a bad thing... [laughs] But it’s a good thing that I’m surrounded by all this love and support.


BS: That’s a great support system to have. Your family sounds one of a kind. I saw that you recently took part in the religious, family-oriented movie Virtuous, what prompted you to take the role?

JL: Well it’s a faith-based film, so that was one of the attractions — I’m not an actress... and I’m not into that. I wanted to take this opportunity as it was given to me, it was very clean and, nothing that would create controversy or anything like that. The story line was great! The producer and director were absolutely wonderful! You know, I think having all those components worked really well with it, ...with me saying yes.


BS: Is the movie based on your own religious beliefs, or was the project independent of them?



JL: No, yeah.. it was based on a story of eight women who go through everyday obstacles and struggles. It’s really just a nice family film that, .... I mean, it’s things that women face every day like struggles... I’m not sure how to explain it. It portrays the power and strength behind women as they face struggles. There is a scene about a woman being captured, a soldier, ...and she’s being held as a prisoner in Afghanistan — so it’s kind of loosely based on what I went through but we didn’t want it to be exact.

BS: When was the movie released?



JL: We did the premier last May, and then, it will hit another target this coming Summer.



BS: Sounds like a great project. So, after 12 years, time has flown.



JL: Time has flown, I cannot believe how long it’s been. Everyone is always telling me, “2003, that was such a long time ago, it felt like yesterday”. Yeah I guess in a way it has, especially to me as the memories are still so.. vivid. It’s crazy how much time has flown by.



BS: It really has. So in the last 12 years, you were awarded scholarships to complete degree programs through several colleges. So what are you doing since graduating?



JL: I have a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Masters in Communications Studies. I am currently a substitute teacher just because I have a lot of doctor’s appointments and traveling, physical therapy... It’s hard to keep a full time job with all of this going on. But, it’s actually....subbing is not for everyone, but it has worked out for me because it allows me to be in a different classroom everyday and I get experience different grade levels to determine what I really like.


BS: Do the kids recognize you?

JL: The older kids do. Pre-School, Kindergarten, 1st grade, [laughing], they don’t know. But the older kids have learned about in school, ... and I’m a local person so their parents either know me or know of me so they learn from that. The younger kids...they couldn’t care less, which is awesome for me because I don’t, you know, have to feel like I can be the former POW, I can be, ...Ms. Lynch.



BS: Out in town, are people usually pretty nice, or do you ever get anyone who is wary of you?



JL: Actually where I live, they’re great and still supportive. I still get people that come up and ask me to “sign this” or take a picture with their daughter. Even when I’m out in town, for the majority of it, they’re still positive. I’ve had the occasional encounter where people just don’t like me...and, you know, that’s okay. You know, everyone has their own opinion. I’m okay with people not liking me, I’m fine with that. But, for the most part around here, it’s nice.



BS: That’s great to have a supportive community. You must feel blessed. So you are raising your daughter, does she attend the schools you teach in?



JL: Yes, she goes to the ones I teach in. There a quite a few schools in our county, but she goes to one of them. She loves it when I teach her grade. Because she loves coming over to Mommy’s class. I guess that would be with any kid, having your mom as a substitute teacher would be cool in any kid’s eyes.



BS: That’s so sweet. So, when you stood up to the media and spoke out about the controversy surrounding your situation, that was a very brave action. Do you hope to instill the same strength and bravery in your daughter?



JL: I do. I think that will come with age. I think that’s part of every growing child. For me, that was one of the scariest thing that I had ever done. I was standing up saying that all of this was lies. That was scary for a,... I was 20 at the time. It was scary standing up, saying no, none of this happened. Basically, it was all made up. So I guess my point is is that yes, I hope she is a strong minded person and is able to stand up for herself, which I think will definitely come with time.


BS: I saw that you’re doing a little bit of public speaking, are you still doing that?



JL: I do, yeah. It’s probably one of the least things that I ever thought that I would EVER be doing in my life. Growing up I was the very shy kid. I just never wanted to speak [laughing]. I always let me friends do the speaking, I was just there. Even in classroom settings, ... I wasnever the kid who raised my hand. So, to now be the person on the stage in front of hundreds or thousands of people, whatever it may be,... is kind of crazy.

BS: I would have stage fright. Was it hard getting started?

JL: I probably did, — but I mean I know I did (have stage fright) the first several times. But as the years keep ticking away, having done it several times it definitely gets easier.



BS: What topics do you like to speak about?


JL: The biggest one is perseverance. And that’s just, you know, ... I talk a little bit about what I went through, but mainly about how I’ve overcome it and persevered to get to where I am today.



BS: How does the audience usually response? Does anyone ever cry or stand up?



JL: Yes, especially when I talk about injuries because I don’t think people realize. I do kind of a powerpoint presentation where I stick a generic body up there (laughing). It shows bones of a person and I show exactly which bones were injured. So when you see it all together, you think Wow, okay. That’s a lot of bones broken there.



BS: You said you had some left over injuries. How often do you see a doctor; how much is it affecting your life?



JL: I see a podiatrist because of ... the brace—the plastic brace I wear on my leg, which is... Okay, from where my back was broke and from where the Iraqis took out my femur bone, I had severe nerve damage down my left leg. So I have, what’s known as foot drop. So I have to wear a brace to hold up my foot so that it helps me walk. So I still deal with issues from that, ... you know of course wearing the plastic brace rubs against my legs and causes sores. One of the recent ones is I see a cardiologist because I’m having heart problems [sigh]. All of these things have built up; I see a psychiatrist for my PTSD, which, this year has been one of the worst years that I’ve really felt attacked by this PTSD. In the years past, I’ve been able to overcome it and be good with it on my own. But I’m ’til the point now where I look at myself and I say I need help. That’s been another big issue, is, ... realizing that although I have a great support system, it’s easier for me to talk a therapist than my family about issues that I’m experiencing. And I know I’m not the only one. I know other veterans that you talk to talk about it too.



BS: Perseverance and support are great shoulders to lean on, but understandably, PTSD is its own demon.



JL: ...and that’s my biggest struggle.


BS: And I can relate, but not on the level you went through. The mental scarring, you can’t get past it.

JL: You know, I have that, I don’t even know what it’s actually called. It’s that pins and needles feeling where I have the nerve damage. Basically what diabetics feel, ...that feeling you take medication for to get it to calm down. It keeps me up a lot through the night. It’s one of those, Why do I have to live with this? [laughing]. But I think that I’ve done really well managing it, learning to cope to everything that I have over the year.


BS: Would you say that your daughter helps you also to cope, ... just having her presence?



JL: Absolutely, 100%. Because when I look at her, you know she’s a typical 8 year old, ... she’s laughing she’s playing... she’s always in a bubbly mood. So having that around, especially when I’m depressed or not feeling good or irritated when my leg won’t quit tingling — I look at her and I realize that, “Wow, kids can make a huge difference in your mode.” She takes my mood from ‘blah’ to, [laughing], fantastic. I love having her around.


BS: So are you raising her on your own or is there someone special in your life?



JL: I’m engaged to my daughter’s father; we’ve been together now for 9 years. We just never tied the knot. Which does not bother us, I know a lot of people.../



BS: /That’s more the norm today anyway.



JL: It doesn’t bother me. [confidently] We’re happy.



BS: More and more we see trends moving toward less and less couples tying the knot or even waiting until they’re older compared to previous generations.



JL: Yeah.



BS: Has the media’s presence died down in regard to contacting you and covering your story?



JL: Since 2003, yes a lot. But I still get calls here and then. Especially this time of year with the 23rd of March approaching, (the anniversary of Jessica’s capture) and Veteran’s Day - that’s a big one, too, when people want interviews. Yeah, it’s died down a lot from 2003, but I guess I’m still out there.



BS: As a female service member, you know what it’s like and you know how hard it can be. I wondered with the recent changes in the military with women moving into combat and into career fields as submariners; with all the recent changes in the military moving in favor of women, what do you think of the changes? Is the military doing the right thing?

JL: Well, you have women out there who are just as strong as some of the guys. So I think if women are capable of doing the job, ...more power to them. More power. So, not every woman, and that’s just the truth, but not every woman is as strong as a man. I’m not. [laughing] I’m far from being as physically strong as a man. But there are women out there who can handle the physically and mentally jobs that men can.


BS: Do you have any words of wisdom for female service members and those getting ready to join?



JL: I’ve always said,...if this is the route that you’re willing to take, the military, give it your all. Give your all. It is a tough job, especially, basic training takes a lot to get through mentally. If it’s what you want to do. Go for it. Be proud and wear the uniform with honor.

BS: That’s great advice. For the future, what do you want to see?



JL: I’m all about education. I would love to get my doctorate. There’s something about learning, I guess I’m just one of those nerds — I’m one of those people you can give a math problem, the harder the better and I’ll sit here and solve it. I love learning and I love putting my mind to work.



BS: And with so much to share and with so many people, learning keeps our minds active.



JL: Most people are like, “EEW!! [laughing] Once I was done with school, I was done!” I’m like, not me. I love it. And I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about expanding your mind and building that knowledge.



BS: What would you like to get your doctorate in?



JL: I really don’t know and I think that’s why I haven’t done it yet. My bachelor’s is in Education and my Master’s is in Communications. It’s hard, with a doctorate program, you have to go with what you have experience in, so because my degrees are not in the same field, it’s hard to find a program that will allow me to move forward.



BS: They’re typically particular about that.



JL: [laughing] Hey! I wasn’t thinking about hat when I got my master’s in a different field, [laughing], I was trying to dabble when I did that — trying to expand what I wanted to learn. One day, one day! [laughing].



BS: What do you enjoy in your free time? Read any good books or seen any good movies recently?




JL: I don’t even know, I’ve been so busy with everything else. I haven’t even seen a good movie in a while... that’s sad! But, I like Big Bang Theory — you know for TV. I love a good laugh every now and again. That’s probably my biggest thing right now.





One last question for Ms. Lynch before we concluded the interview had me wondering... As a mother with a strong past — would she advise her daughter as she makes her own decisions... Would she be against letting her daughter risk the same circumstances her mother went through? Jessica’s vocal tone and careful choice of words implied a patient, yet strong voice in our conversation, so I had to ask...


BS: Looking back, in retrospect, ... you joined the Army based on wanting to go to college and wanting to get that paid for. Based on your experience, would you guide your daughter against joining the military, or are you more open about it?





JL: I’m not against the military at all. Even after what happened because I know that doesn’t happen to every person who joins the military. Not every single person is going to be held captive. But it is a possibility and it can happen, so if that is the path that she wants to go on, of course, she can. She already knows some of the details. She knows that Mommy was injured over there, she knows that I was a prisoner of war, but she does not know all of the details of what happened overseas. But as she gets older, ... I set aside her own book for — when she is ready to read it. It’s going to be her choice. If she wants to join, I will be fully, 100% supportive of her decision.


BS: That’s really great. She has a great role model look up to. In this book, what will it tell her? !

JL: It’s I Am a Soldier, Too, the book. I put one aside for her and I signed it; just as a memento for her to keep. But I have saved all the magazines and newspaper articles, and it’s a bunch, [laughing]. But that’s something for her to look through as she gets older, maybe one day when I’m a grandma, something for them to look through and make their own decisions about it.