“The Most Significant Day of My Professional Career.” Throughout my military career each day has been different as it pertain to daily operations, missions, and personnel. Since I joined the United States Army in 1995, there are several significant days in which I will never forget. These days have brought me joy serving with America’s best and brightest Soldiers. However, there are those days that have been filled with agony and sorrow honoring our Fallen Heroes. The most significant day of my professional career was Friday, March 20, 2015. On this day I was officially promoted to the rank of Major in the United States Army. This day was significant for several reasons. First, this was the first time I was ever promoted within United States. Second, my wife and two sons were able to witness and partake in the ceremony. Finally, this was the first time father and mother was able to attend a military ceremony since my commissioning to Second Lieutenant. …show more content…
My previous promotion to First Lieutenant and Captain were in a combat zone, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was promoted on the campus of the Army Logistical University at Fort Lee, Virginia, my current duty station. Unlike previous promotion ceremonies that was held in the present of my peers and co-workers; this ceremony was close family members and friends in attendance. This ceremony was not only for me and what I accomplished, but also the sacrifices that my family made each and every day. In spite of the how the promotion ceremony was officiated having family and friends in attendance was a great
When you think about a teacher, you automatically think about someone who teaches kids for a living. Being a teacher doesn’t have to be just teaching children on a daily basis. Teachers are the reasons why a lot of children have grown to love learning and appreciate the effort their teacher has put into their education. Teachers are very important in today’s society and they do a lot for everyone. Teachers aren’t just there to make lesson plans, grade papers, and write on black-boards. Teachers are around because they want to give children a proper education.
Millions of men and women have served in the armed forces before me and millions more will serve after. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice; some lost and captured, others received wounds, physically and or emotionally, and that time
Without a doubt the single most influential experience in my life has been graduating from Marine Corps boot camp at MCRD San Diego. They say less than one percent of United States Citizens serve in the military and a small fraction of them serve as United States Marines. I take great pride in the fact that standing on those famous yellow footprints separates me from more than 99% of people I will meet. Some people claim boot camp was easy for them, that they didn’t struggle or second guess themselves; unfortunately I am not one of those people. I greatly struggled, not physically as that was easy but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Initially I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision in enlisting right out of high school. But then
The career I chose to undertake as my profession is that of a mechanical engineer. Why do I want to become a mechanical engineer? Well, for starters, I would be able to design, build and possibly repair many various machines and other technologies that are complex. These technologies can range from being already in use on a global scale to new, futuristic designs that are highly technical. Also, this career includes being a sort of jack-of-all-trades, where I would possess knowledge in mathematics, physics, etc. Finally, this career offers me the chance to expand outside my immediate area since mechanical engineers are well desired around the globe as well.
Generation-after-generation, families unite to honor their loved ones. Regardless if those honored are alive or bereft, commander or commanded, we praise their service. There is a vast array of traditions to honor them.
with great pride and dignity. The unit and I are more than grateful to have served
In this morning's parade people stood-up and applauded everyone in uniform, and this one child about 7-years old stood-up and yelled out Mommy look, its Air Force people and then saluted Colonel Hund our commander, it brought tears to my
In May of 2005 I finally accomplished something that really meant a lot not only to me and my family, but to the people of the United States of America. Even while being in Iraq from April 2007 to November 2007 and losing a brother in arms while I was there I still felt honor. After finding out I will be a dad in June 2008 I became a Non Commissioned officer July 1st and a married man by July 2nd. Once August 2008 came I found myself saying yes to four more years. Once August 2012 came I was a well-established family man who became a marine vet who is instilled with nothing but honor, courage, and
My Platoon Sergeant has a newfound respect for me as a mortarman and a leader. It was now known how knowledgeable I was and how well I could perform under duress. This was the new image I had created for myself. I was very proud of everything I had accomplished, and my platoon was impressed by my accomplishments as well. I had completed a very long and tiring day, but it was well worth it.
Serving in the United States Navy, Army, and North Carolina Army National Guard for a combined total of 21 years before honorably retiring in July 2013 has always been one of many life achievements that I have been profoundly fond of. During my Army tenure, I was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as one of a few non-Special Forces support medics for the 3rd Special Forces Group. In order to stay assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group, it was highly recommended that all soldiers were Airborne qualified. So, I was able to overcome my fear of heights by successfully completing Airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia and earning my parachutist’s badge before returning to Fort Bragg. While still assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group, I participated in the State Department’s African Response Crisis Initiative with assignments located in Northern Africa. I would accompany Special Forces operators and provide support as they would provide training based on a common peacekeeping doctrine and the supply of interoperable communications equipment, which would enable the units to work together more effectively.
A few years ago, I was tasked with the opportunity to represent the United States Air Force by becoming a member of the Peterson Air Force Base Honor Guard. To most, this is a very difficult task due to the precision needed to perform during funerals but I was honored. I soon went through one on one training with Airman First Class Aros and he helped me get up to speed within a week. The very next day after my graduation ceremony, I was notified that I would be performing a funeral for a retired Air Force individual. My leadership dismissed me for the rest of the day to prepare my uniform for the performance and told me they will see me in the morning.
Now I am 49 and the war has been over for some time now and that is good and somehow bad for me. I have changed much ever since the war ended and so has the whole Platoon. It is crazy how much I have changed in the past 40 years first I was scared of the war, then I was a lieutenant in the war and now it’s hard for me to function without thinking about the war. Right after the war all of the squad member tried to see each other as much as we could. But now the few of us that are left can hardly ever see each other. Or don’t make the effort to. An example of what I miss from the war is the way we honored the dead. It was very unique we would make
I will never going to forget everything that you did for me. Actually, you were the person to give the opportunity and guided me thought the correct path to achieve my goal. Being selected as a Chief Petty officer means a lot, not only for me, but for my family and the sailor that I work with, work for and that did work for me. Unfortunately, two of them they are not within us anymore, but I know for sure that they would be happy seeing me wearing anchors; AD2 Marvin Layao and AO2 Jason Gober. Definitely, they were an integral part of at I'm going through today. Rest In Peace brothers!
While I was stationed in Kunsan Airbase, Korea, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved in many new experiences. I was in a foreign country I had never been to and I was also working a job that was entirely different from my previous one. Out of all the fresh experiences I had in South Korea though, one stands out from the others. It was stressful, it was challenging, but it was my most significant personal accomplishment while stationed there. It was the time I organized a POW/MIA 5K. Every year military personnel on Kunsan AB choose to honor the memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action, both past and present, by holding several events in the month of September. The events are held to pay tribute and recognize
For us it was amazing, great opportunity but also great responsibility. First time in my military career I had had full scale of freedom of action. In front of us there was nothing but blank paper and given legal and strategic framework. Making