Aurea served in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for four years, serving two tours with the 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault (AASLT) and two as a civilian contractor. In recognition of her distinguished service in a combat zone, she was given many decorations and accolades, including two Bronze Star Medals. She has three master's degrees, including one in public administration and two in business administration. She continues to support numerous veteran programmes while working in Washington, D.C. She has served as the Mentoring Program's chairwoman in the past and is currently a Committee Advisor for the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), an organisation she is delighted to be a lifetime member of.
