Amy Shick is involved with Army life.

As a youngster she was small, loud and hyperactive. Growing up in Redding, CA, her family always had hamsters, bunnies, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, birds, pigs, donkeys, cows, ponies and horses for her to be with.

"Not all at the same time!" she exclaimed.

Moving to the San Francisco Bay area in middle school and through high school, she had her own horse and competed in hunter jumper and three-day equestrian competitions.

On top of all this activity, she was in gymnastics, played basketball in middle school and was a cheerleader in high school.

"I was not a straight A student and struggled in high school," she continued, "but once I got to college I excelled."

Shortly after graduating from high school, she dated her future husband, Jason Shick.  A lieutenant colonel, he is the battalion commander of 1^st Battalion, 17^th Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2^nd Infantry Division.

Over the 18 years her husband has been in the Army, Shick always involved herself in advising and mentoring the spouses of other soldiers.

"When your soldier is in a command position there is an opportunity to serve as an advisor and mentor for the Soldiers and Family Readiness Group," she explained.

"I had several senior spouse mentors who made a huge impact in my life and inspired me ... and I wanted to do the same for younger spouses and soldiers. The Army community is our family."

This sense of helping her Army family has led Shick to focus her energy on the real estate industry and real estate investing at each duty station.

"We have been purchasing homes when we move to each location," she explained, "and then rent them out when we leave. This can be hugely beneficial in creating financial stability and building equity while also moving every couple of years."

She has also written a book that teaches other military families how to invest in real estate and a second book on how to manage their rental properties.

She went on to say that her parents have influenced her in much of what she does.

"They are trailblazing entrepreneurs," she explained, "and they are the kind of curious people who roll up their sleeves and put in the work .... Their guidance has helped me navigate the challenges of Army life with resourcefulness and flexibility,"

In closing, Shick encourages younger and newer spouses to become involved and create a legacy within their own Army lives.

"The Army is not like any other career; it truly is a family lifestyle, and the spouses who do not get involved are missing out on the closest friendships of their lives."

That's involvement in Army life.