It was a warm summer afternoon in La Piedad, Michoacán, MX. I was sitting on the steps of my late grandfather’s tiendita (grocery store) with my grandpa. Here, where we would pass our Sundays eating fruit, talking about life, and watching the passersby when he said to me, “Why don’t you join the Army?”
My grandfather was in the Mexican Army and his nickname in our hometown was “El Soldado” (The Soldier). My grandfather was a proud veteran. They called him the Soldier not just because of his past but because of how he carried himself. He was always well-dressed, clean-shaven, and well-spoken. My grandfather explained to me how the military changed him. The military installed discipline in him, led him to my grandmother, and gave him an opportunity towards economic growth.
I had never thought of joining the military before. But I wanted to continue my legal education and serve as a catalyst for social empowerment.
Soon after, I was back in America at a recruiting center in Golden, Colorado. I was so determined to join that I just walked in, and said to the recruiter, “I want to be a paralegal and I want to leave tomorrow for Bootcamp.” Of course, the recruiter laughed. It wasn’t easy to get the position I wanted, and the enlistment process could take time. So, I thanked him for his time and left him my number.
That same night, the recruiter called me and said, “I found you a slot, and you can leave at the end of this week.”
With that, my journey in the US Army began, and I left shortly after for Basic Training. I had no idea what to expect but I knew I would be pushed out of my comfort zone, and I knew that this was an opportunity to pursue my studies and gain more legal experience but best of all – I would serve the community.
It’s been ten years now and I will be honest – being in the military is hard. It is physically and mentally demanding and can even be emotionally exhausting. Still, becoming a Soldier is easily the best spontaneous decision I’ve ever made. My favorite part about working in the United States Army is the people I’ve served with. I am continuously in awe of my comrades – the selfless sacrifices they’ve made for their families and our nation.
I am incredibly proud of my military service. In whatever capacity I am called to serve, whether as a civilian or military attorney, I hope to continue devoting my life to providing superior legal assistance to my brothers and sisters in uniform.
A Salute to All Veterans, Happy Veteran’s Day!
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