If you ever watched an episode of “Lizzie McGuire” on Disney, then you know actress Carly Schroeder. For years in both the TV version and the film version, Carly played Melina Bianco, the best friend and partner in crime to Matt McGuire (played by Jake Thomas).

Following “Lizzy McGuire” Carly stared in the movie “Gracie” (2007 Elevation Filmworks) as well as Serena Baldwin in “Port Charles” a “General Hospital” spinoff.

Her work on the big screen is nothing compared to her volunteer work with the Humane Society, Meals on Wheels, and her humanitarian efforts for the homeless vets of the infamous Skid Row.

A graduate of California Lutheran University in 2013 Carly is passionate about many human injustices and this passion, along with some great military pedigree (her dad was a Green Beret, and her brother is a Marine) she’s decided to join the US Army.

Commissioned to attend officer candidate school, Carly is undergoing extensive training across multiple disciplines.

 

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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

In an Instagram post, Carly shared her “whys” with her fans.

“With a college degree from @callutheran in Criminal Justice, as ASVAB score of 92, and qualifying PFTs…I was accepted into Army #OCS (Officer Candidate School),” she wrote.

Siting her passion for fighting human trafficking, she believes she can learn skills that will later apply to the work she plans on doing to help combat the global problem within the US.

Secondly, she goes on to say she wants to give her voice “more validity” when working with Vets.

Finally, it is that family tradition that pushed her over the edge and helped her decide to serve her country.

“I’ve been considering it for a while, and it is a big choice, but thankfully my parents and my little brother were very supportive of me,” Carly told TMZ in an interview.

https://youtu.be/8ZvP6SzJ7HE