My first duty station was at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. I felt 10 feet tall walking into the S-1 for in processing with my green dress uniform but tall that motivation went down the drain, the ghost of my language barrier and jokes about height continue hunting me. Once again, jokes about my accent and height were my daily treatment by many of the Soldiers. There was not a single day that my Sergeant did not listen to a complaint from me about my experience, but he provided resilience and challenges me not let those comments discourage me from reaching my goals. He set me up for two goals, winning the Soldier of the Quarter and earning my first badge, the Air Assault Badge. I immediately told him that it was impossible
