One of the many things that stand out in today's female roller derby scene are the clever derby names the skaters give themselves. For JBLM Bettie Brigade roller derby participant Candace Magill, her name was derived in an unusual way; the moniker and her player number depictinteresting coincidences

"My derby name is Dis-Orient-Her and my number is twelve," says Magill. "I determined my name kind of based on my job and a play on words. I work in the medical field with a lot of rehab and elderly who are disoriented and then there is derby where you get knocked down and get disoriented. Perfect! My number is twelve because that's my lucky number. My birthday is 12-12. My son's birthday is 11-23. Twenty-three minus eleven is twelve. There ya go! Easy enough!"

Another thing that was easy for Magill, a Tacoma resident who serves as a medical social work director at a Puyallup rehabilitation center, is joining the JBLM Bettie Brigade. This all-female, player-run, nonprofit roller derby team based in Lacey, are comprised of athletes that are part of the military community, something Magill knows a little something about.

"I was married to a pilot in the military, but my dad is also a retired first sergeant," explains Magill. "So I was raised military and have always had some kind of connection to it. That was why when I saw there was a military derby team, I knew that would be the one I wanted to skate for."

And skate she does. However, Magill serves in other important roles for the organization. The skater, who has been with the Betties for two years, initially had taken on the role of event coordinator for the team and now she serves on the board as its secretary.

"As the events coordinator, I was responsible for planning and carrying out events as well as organizing the girls and getting everything squared away.  We were mainly a part of things such as Freedom Fest and Armed Forces Day on post, as well as other events in the community such as Rock and Rally for the Troops and fundraisers.  I am still getting settled into my role as secretary so we will see how I develop into this."

With Magill's passion for her team and derby, fitting into her new roles seems like something she will savor. Her experience as a Bettie has been nothing short of special.

"Of course, being the only all-military team makes the Betties special and totally rad!  Being military means that skaters are always coming and going due to trainings and moving.  The fact that we rotate skaters as often as we do, and can still overcompensate and continuously teach new girls, re-adjust, and pull our rosters together, I think is an amazing feat.

I also think the Betties are incredibly strong, genuine, and one of the most supportive and loving group of people I have ever met.  I have truly met lifelong friends."

Besides the team, the sport itself has been amazing for Magill on many levels. This is how she explains it:

"I love so many things about derby. I love how amazing this sport is and how empowering it makes me feel.  How it has changed my body and made me stronger and more confident in myself.

I met so many great people and learned so much from this sport.  I moved here a few years ago and was at a barbecue chatting with a girl who played roller derby.  She had just started at that time and was telling me how awesome it was. I always wanted to do something like that and vowed to give it a try. I procrastinated for a long time and then one day, I just showed up, and never stopped. It was amazing! I loved it from then on, and can't see myself ever stopping! It's a part of my life now."

To learn more about the JBLM Bettie Brigade, visit them online at bettiebrigade.com or check out their Facebook page.