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At just 20 years old, Onisha Bramwell has faced more turbulence than many double her age, bouncing between homes, growing up with her grandmother, and battling financial struggles.

Despite that she still managed to shine at the recent graduation ceremony for the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) Intake 2024/01 with the help of her stepmother.

"I have her from she baby stage," said Jacqueline Thomas, the woman Bramwell refers to as Auntie Jackie. "I had her after she was around three [years old], she went to live back with her grandmother when she was around eight. Then after she reach around 10, she start moving from her mom to some other people. I didn't like it so I went back to the father and I said to him, let her live with me."

Bramwell's journey to this moment was anything but smooth. Raised by her grandmother and father initially, she admits, "I wasn't raised with mother and father so after high school the financial constraints caused me to not look in that direction," she said about not pursuing a tertiary level education.

Instead, she followed her childhood dream to become a soldier.

But still it wasn't an easy climb and as she stood in uniform on the No. 1 Polo Field at Up Park Camp last Thursday, it showed that this young soldier had earned her spot there.

"My journey was really rough. Rough because I wouldn't have been used to the things that they do in the JDF," Bramwell recalled. "The transition was really difficult but now I am happy to say that I am a changed person, very disciplined and I am very grateful for that."

Her mantra, repeated with pride "Perseverance conquers all" she declares reminded her to stay strong.

Among 609 recruits in her intake, only 150 were females. Bramwell finished as runner-up for the JNSC Most Outstanding All-Rounder, an award that recognises excellence in discipline, deportment, and dress. She credits her success to sheer "intrinsic motivation" and an unshakable will to push through.

"I knew if I went home, I wouldn't have a plan B. So even though sometimes it was so hard, I reassured myself - 'Hey, I am here for a reason and I have plans and I have goals to achieve.'"

Her father, Dwight Bramwell, said while he always supported her dream, it didn't come without fear.

"From she little she a say she want tun soldier and mi say why. Mi couldn't do nothing bout it. Bwoy mi fret because mi did a say she can't manage but she did it."

But the most powerful champion in Bramwell's story remains Auntie Jackie.

"I push children to go and do what they want. So when she said that she wanted to become a soldier, many of the family did not want her to become a soldier. And she say, 'Auntie Jackie, mi a go in a nursing.' But I remember I gave her the first $30,000 and after she started she say, 'Auntie Jackie, you know say your $30,000 a go down the drain? Me no want do no nursing. Me want go be soldier'."

The stepmother's response was pointed.

"Onisha, listen, I've taken you from a baby stage and I've watched you grow. And if that's what you want, go ahead," she recalled her response.

With emotion in her voice Thomas reminisced on the number of calls she got from her daughter that worried her.

"She call me and she cry, say 'I can't do it, I can't make it,'" Thomas recalled of the early days in training. "I remember one time she said to me, 'Auntie Jackie, listen, me a come home enuh, mi nah go tek dem life yah enuh...' and I said to her, 'That's what you want? No, so go for it, girl. Mi a guh pray.'"

And pray she did. Thomas didn't just offer emotional support, she offered everything.

"When I had Onisha, I did farming to send her to school. From farming, I started to do a little vending in Santa Cruz. I wash all people clothes for Onisha and the rest of the children to go to school."

She recalled the emotional day she dropped Bramwell off at camp. "When she leave, she said, 'Auntie Jackie, come like a hole in my heart come outta my body.'"

Even the JDF staff noticed Thomas' presence with her turning up at base so often.

"Sometimes the soldier dem say, 'Miss, you know mi tired fi see you and you know you nuh supposed to carry anything.' But as mi daughter, mi did have to ensure say she alright."

Bramwell's biological mother, Petrina Wright, was among those at last Thursday's passing-out parade.

"I'm feeling excellent. I feel so proud seeing her graduate today."

Still, no one beamed brighter than Auntie Jackie who Bramwell still resides with.

"I have five kids, and Onisha, I would call adopted. But let me tell you, I'm more proud of Onisha. Onisha was at the point where she was crying and wanted to stop but she came out on top despite not having anyone near her during her training."

"I'm telling you her mother is here and she's proud, but I don't think nobody proud like me. I'm telling you I love that girl world without end."