1. What inspired to serve our country?
As 1st Generation Mexican American few members of my family were in the military. My uncle Benjamin was in Vietnam and was the first to show me the pride that one has in serving our country.
The moment that cemented my desire to continue to serve my country was when I was in bootcamp on September 11, 2001. That day changed everyone’s life and it set my course for my 20 years of service as a US Marine.
2. Who/what influenced your decision to enlist?
My father came to this country and wanted a better life. As we grow, he would always mention that he would have loved to join the military. That was when I was 14 years old, and I decided I would join when I could because it was honorable, and it would make my family proud.