Elizabeth Brown-Miller, 37, grew up the eldest child of five in a military family. Her father, Ronald Smith, was first a helicopter pilot and then a physician’s assistant, U.S. Army, serving 23 years before retirement. She smiles as she speaks of him, her pride reflecting in the brown sparkle of her eyes.

“Every war that was fought, he was there,” she said. “I think I got my tenacity from him.”.....