Click to hear WTMJ's Erik Bilstad's report.

Send Vicky a note at: hollowellusmc@hotmail.com

WTMJ Reporter Vicky Hollowell has been covering the beat and anchoring newscasts for nearly two years in Milwaukee.  Even though she loves working in radio, a different profession and a much nobler cause has grabbed hold of her heart. 
 
Hollowell wants to serve her country.  She has decided to join the Marines. 
 
"It's going to be an amazing experience," Hollowell said proudly.  "I can't wait."
 
"To me it's the epitome of American Service."
 
Hollowell had wanted to become a Marine for years, after her brother enlisted but was medically discharged.
 
"I went to talk to a recruiter, things snowballed from there, and now I'm ready to go."
 
Becoming a Marine isn't easy.  Hollowell believes it's a physical and mental challenge.  "You have to change your entire life.  I had to ask myself, 'Can I be a Marine?'"
 
Then there's the physical aspect.  Hollowell's training has been so intense she has lost over 20 lbs.
 
Friday, May 2nd is Hollowell's last day at WTMJ.  In a few weeks she heads off to Quantico, VA for officer training. 
 
"Ten weeks of boot camp, then after that I'll be commissioned as a second lieutenant, God willing," she said.  "Then six months of TBS, where we'll learn our jobs and find out where we're going to go after that."
 
It's too early to know where Hollowell will end up,  but she expects to be deployed somewhere overseas.
 
"There are two kinds of Marines," Hollowell explained.  "The Marine that is overseas and the Marine that is going overseas."
 
"Honestly, if I didn't get sent somewhere I would be disappointed."
 
Godspeed, Vicky.  And thank you.