Minus one plus nine.
Writing about my personal experience, made me think about all the Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who led me throughout my military career and personal life. It also made me recall the obstacles I faced and overcame throughout my career that shaped me to who I am today. "Minus one plus nine" is the symbolism that I use to describe the story of how I joined the Army as an Enlisted Soldier and the barriers that I have surpassed throughout my career to reach the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9).
Do you speak English?
My journey began on February 14, 1992, when I migrated from El Salvador to the United States. The image of my family's tears as they said goodbye remains in my mind. Even though I was unhappy to leave my family …show more content…
I remember the Sergeants looking very sharp and tall in their uniforms. I thought to myself, “maybe one day I could join the Army and be one of them." I pause for a moment and remind myself about my limitation to speak English. One afternoon, while mailing postcards back home, I saw a selective service form. In that form, it stated that all males between the ages of 18 and 25 must by law to register. I felt the civil responsibility to do it; I completed the form and mailed it …show more content…
One of the inspectors selected my desk for inspection. Neither my peers nor the NCO in charge of the department wanted the inspection to occur in my desk due to their perception that I was a “screw-up Soldier for my incompetence with speaking English. Still, my NCO had confidence in me and allowed the review to continue. Unexpected by my peers and the NCO of the department, my desk had received a superior rating and as a result, I received my first award, an Army Achievement Medal. Once again, my potential was recognized which resulting in my NCO training me for the next goal which was the promotion board. Even though my language proficiency continues improving, I was very hard on myself and worked harder to improve my
Writing about my personal experience, made me think about all the Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who led me throughout my military career and personal life. It also made me recall the obstacles I faced and overcame throughout my career that shaped me to who I am today. "Minus one plus nine" is the symbolism that I use to describe the story of how I joined the Army as an Enlisted Soldier and the barriers that I have surpassed throughout my career to reach the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9).
Do you speak English?
My journey began on February 14, 1992, when I migrated from El Salvador to the United States. The image of my family's tears as they said goodbye remains in my mind. Even though I was unhappy to leave my family …show more content…
I remember the Sergeants looking very sharp and tall in their uniforms. I thought to myself, “maybe one day I could join the Army and be one of them." I pause for a moment and remind myself about my limitation to speak English. One afternoon, while mailing postcards back home, I saw a selective service form. In that form, it stated that all males between the ages of 18 and 25 must by law to register. I felt the civil responsibility to do it; I completed the form and mailed it …show more content…
One of the inspectors selected my desk for inspection. Neither my peers nor the NCO in charge of the department wanted the inspection to occur in my desk due to their perception that I was a “screw-up Soldier for my incompetence with speaking English. Still, my NCO had confidence in me and allowed the review to continue. Unexpected by my peers and the NCO of the department, my desk had received a superior rating and as a result, I received my first award, an Army Achievement Medal. Once again, my potential was recognized which resulting in my NCO training me for the next goal which was the promotion board. Even though my language proficiency continues improving, I was very hard on myself and worked harder to improve my