Alexia Rodrigues is trading in her combat boots for a chance at a crown.

On Sunday, the pageant star is competing in the Miss America competition as Miss Rhode Island in Orlando. She previously enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has completed over three years of full-time active duty.

The 25-year-old told Fox News Digital she’s eager to raise awareness about women in the armed forces. Serving has given her purpose over the years, she said.

“I absolutely love my job,” the Warwick native shared. “I get excited every day to be able to put on my uniform, to serve my country, my community… That’s what fuels me every day. What the Army does, which not a lot of companies do, is ensure that our soldiers are trained from day one on EO, which is “

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