When she was 16 years old, Janae Sergio was dropped off at an emergency night shelter in Hollywood, California, by her mother, who would not be returning for her daughter. Having only brought a single backpack, Sergio believed her stay at the shelter would only be temporary.
Sergio would soon begin her long journey of self-actualization, overcoming trauma and, ultimately, acceptance, which would eventually lead her to enlistment in the Navy.
Navy veteran, VFW Post 76 Junior Vice Commander and military sexual trauma (MST) survivor Janae Sergio celebrates Veteran’s Day at her home on Nov. 11, 2025. Sergio offers support and mentorship to other MST survivors, as well as veterans transitioning back into civilian life.Having grown up in a broken and dysfunctional home, Sergio faced physical abuse from her mother and both physical and sexual abuse from the men her mother dated. On an episode of the “American
Grit” podcast, Sergio described her family as “chains of dysfunction,” recognizing the abuse that affected her mother and her mother before that.
Years later, while writing her autobiography Perfectly Flawed: A Veteran’s Journey from Homeless to Hero, Sergio, now a mother, had a chance to better process and reflect the traumas she endured, knowing she could never allow the “chains of abuse” to continue onto her own children. Although her relationship with her mother and her sisters is still strained, Sergio has since come to peace with her past, creating the life she always wanted to live — alongside her husband and two daughters.
ENLISTING IN THE NAVY
While living at the night shelter, the under-aged Sergio was still under control of her mother through custodial rights.
Sergio attempted to return to school through an emancipation process, working closely with a social worker to sever any legal control her mother had over her. However, Sergio’s mother managed to dissuade her from completing the emancipation.
While working to save money to move out of the shelter, Sergio was persuaded by a friend to join the Navy. Although reluctant at first, Sergio realized that through the Navy, she could have a home, steady income and stability.
Once she turned 18, officially free of custodial rights, Sergio enlisted. She would go on to serve eight years in the Navy, working with logistics and combat support units. Her most significant deployment was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where she served 111 consecutive days at sea aboard the USS John C. Stennis.
COMMITMENT TO VFW AND WOMEN VETERANS
Sergio has long been a supporter of VFW.
“I first heard about VFW while I was still on active duty,” Sergio said. “It’s such a cornerstone of the veteran community. What inspired me to join was a desire to stay connected to veterans, to find camaraderie and to give back by supporting other veterans navigating life after service.”
A survivor of military sexual trauma (MST), Sergio has collaborated with VFW through community events, legislative testimony and mental health campaigns to help elevate the voices of women military personnel and veterans who may have experienced MST.
By sharing her own story, she connects closely with victims of MST, offering a space where they can heal and overcome traumas.
Sergio was recently voted in as Junior Vice Commander of Post 76 in San Antonio, Texas, and is currently the director of development at the Grunt Style Foundation.
“I want to build a future where no veteran feels alone,” Sergio said, “where every warrior has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.”
This article is featured in the 2026 May/June issue of VFW magazine, and was written by Danny Cook, senior writer for VFW magazine.