'Lizzie McGuire' actress Carly Schroeder joins the Army: 'There is no way I am going to let the boys have all the fun'

Raechal Shewfelt
·Editor, Yahoo Entertainment

Actress Carly Schroeder’s next project will be much different than what she’s done in the past.

Schroeder, who’s appeared on Disney’s Lizzie McGuire and spent seven years on the soap Port Charles, has revealed that she’s joined the United States Army and has been accepted into Officer Candidate School.

“For 22 years, I’ve played dress up for a living,” she explained in an Instagram post. “As an actress I’ve been kidnapped, gone blind, nearly eaten by lions and murdered on more than one occasion. I tormented Lizzie McGuire’s little brother on the Disney channel, was a dolphin trainer, the first female soccer player on an all boys team and Harrison Ford once rescued me during an intense home invasion.”

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For 22 years, I’ve played dress up for a living. As an actress I’ve been kidnapped, gone blind, nearly eaten by lions and murdered on more than one occasion. I tormented Lizzie McGuire’s little brother on the Disney channel, was a dolphin trainer, the first female soccer player on an all boys team and Harrison Ford once rescued me during an intense home invasion. . That’s exciting and all, but in January I decided to raise my right hand and swear into the United States Army. With a college degree from @callutheran in Criminal Justice, an ASVAB score of 92, and qualifying PFTs… I was accepted into Army #OCS (Officer Candidate School). . There are three BIG reasons (among many others) why I am taking a break from Hollywood to #goarmy . 1. College opened my eyes to global injustices. But on a more tangible micro level, there is human trafficking occurring within the United States. I’ve written papers, spread awareness and as an Army Officer I intend to learn skills I can later apply when I’m on a team helping these victims. . 2. Serving my country will give my voice more validity. I can better serve and advocate for veterans once I am a part of their community. The military is a family and family always has each others back. . 3. My brother is a Marine and my Papa was a Green Beret… There is no way I am going to let the boys have all the fun. #hooah #actresstoarmy #startedondisneynowimhere 💁🏼?♀? . Thank you to my big brothers who teach, encourage and support me. I’ll make you proud. ?? @hunter_schroede0372 @claskytac @greenlinetactical @longhighwayhome @garand_thumb @tyler_hughes_ss

A post shared by Carly Schroeder (@carlyfries18) on Feb 13, 2019 at 7:05am PST

“That’s exciting and all, but in January I decided to raise my right hand and swear into the United States Army,” Schroeder, 29, wrote.

She explained that she’d learned during her college courses at California Lutheran University about many “global injustices,” including human trafficking within U.S. borders. Schroeder said she’d already written papers about the issue but said her role in the military would give her voice more weight. Finally, Schroeder said she’d been inspired by her brother, a member of the Marine Corps, and her father, a Green Beret.

“There is no way I am going to let the boys have all the fun,” she wrote.

“You’re a badass.”

“Thanks for serving! Maybe one day you’ll be a part of the [Law Enforcement Officer] fam too!? We need more females like yourself! Take care and best wishes.”

“Carly Thank You!! To know that the United States has a person of such integrity as you defending it makes me incredibly proud to be a citizen of such a great nation.”

“Congrats Carly,I think that is great. I think you will make an Amazing Army Officer!!!”

Veterans also offered Schroeder advice.

She replied to many of the comments, including one in which she said she “might be an actress” again one day.

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