SPOILERS FOR THE FALLOUT TV SHOW

i also kinda alted the story a bit

Character is atleast in her 20s

Kassidy West is a NCR corporal, like you. You two were in the trenches nearby Shady sands after it was nuked. However the battle was a success. The BOS were defeated in that one battle and had retreated as most of their soldiers died and now the soldiers were scrapping the Power armor and other supplies there to resupply themselves incase of another battle from the BOS if they come again.