Candra Buchanan knows a lot about support for Soldiers and their families because she grew up as a military child. Now as a member of the Garrison Intern Program, she wants to do what she can for future generations.
Born in Huntsville, she traveled as a military family member.
"We lived all over the world," she said. "I grew up on military bases."
The experience helped mold Buchanan's personality.
"I'm laid back," she said. "I'm more of an observer. Going to different countries and always meeting new people, I learned to sit back and watch a little at first. I like to kind of assess the situation before I jump in."
Buchanan graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor's in business administration.
After years working in her uncle's dental practice in Atlanta, she decided to go on her own. Returning to her military roots, this time as a Garrison intern, has helped the transition.
"I wanted a new start," she said. "I decided to come back to my beginnings. I knew it would be a new experience, the environment is familiar."
Already working in her first rotation with the Plans Analysis and Integration Office, Buchanan is looking ahead. She hopes that each of her stints in the Garrison's directorates will help her find her niche as an Army civilian.
"Right now, just starting out, I'm leaning towards direct support for families and Soldiers because I've lived that," she said. "As I go farther in the program I may find something else that is a perfect fit for me."
With those rotations comes a lot to learn. Buchanan looks forward to learning about how each piece adds up to the whole, but she knows the volume of information will be challenging.
I'm ready to tackle it though," she said.
Buchanan is a movie and theater buff. She likes films of all kinds, but said her favorite movies are the romantic comedies. She's also happy about the entertainment options in Huntsville.
"I like drama, comedy and I'm a big horror fan, too," she said. "I also love going to the theater. I like musicals. The last one I saw was 'The Color Purple.' It was really good."
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