Army Mentors Prepare High Schoolers for Success

By Army Sgt. Christopher Hernandez 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 5, 2018 — On a brightly lit football field inside the Alamodome here, a disparate chorus of clamor and musical instruments reverberates throughout the structure as high school football players and band members practice for the performance of their lives, the 2018

These young men and women train with soldier mentors, elite members of the Army fit to provide professional guidance and inspiration.

Soldier mentors are a prominent feature of All-American Bowl Game Week, an annual event that highlights the nation’s foremost high school football players and marching band teams.

“We do this every year because it’s a great way to put the Army’s message out,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Waters, a native of Orlando, Florida. “We let the students know that we’re here for them, answer any questions that they have, and lift them up and support them in their future endeavors.”

In addition to attending practices and events throughout the week, the soldier mentors also engage with the players in community service activities for nonprofit organizations and medical centers.

“I’ve seen throughout the years the benefits that the Army gets from these games, as well as for the community of San Antonio,” said Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Lei-Sam, a native of Samoa and the Soldier Mentorship Program manager for the All-American Bowl. “It’s very humbling, and it’s an honor to be here and represent the Army during these games.”

Cultivating Relationships

As the noncommissioned officer in charge of the mentorship program, Lei-Sam oversees all of the soldier mentors and their activities with the students. This includes planning events that cultivate deeper relationships between the soldier mentors and the students.

“For this year, I’ve also implemented new things such as the 7-on-7 flag football game, so we can further build camaraderie between [the soldiers] and the high school football players,” Lei-Sam said.

Lei-Sam and Waters both said a major goal of the Soldier Mentorship Program is to bolster the players’ career aspirations. Lei-Sam said he hopes that these football players end up in the National Football League someday, and that as they progress in their careers, the players will see what the Army is about and how soldiers live up to the Army values.

“It’s a privilege to be here with all of these students,” Waters said. “All of them are future collegiate players potentially going into [colleges with high-level football programs], and they’ve all been very supportive of the military.”

Brandon Brady, a varsity football player and student of Bryon P. Steele II High School in Cibolo, Texas, said this experience is a great opportunity to train alongside soldiers.

“[The soldier mentors] are definitely role models to each and every one of us,” he said. “In just seeing their discipline and the way they do things, it’s going to carry over to us in football and in life. It’s amazing to be able to share this moment with them, play against them, and have some fun.”

The 2018 All-American Bowl will take place at the Alamodome tomorrow, at 1 p.m. EST, and will be televised live by NBC.

Face of Defense: Youth ChalleNGe Academy Leads to Airman’s Service

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Mercedee Schwartz, 124th Fighter Wing

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 21, 2017 — The road that leads someone to serve in the Idaho Air National Guard isn’t always the most traditional route.

Airman 1st Class Cody Gilbert, an aircraft armament systems specialist with the 124th Maintenance Group at Gowen Field here, decided to join after attending the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

The academy is part of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, which helps at-risk youth earn their high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). The program emphasizes self-discipline, personal responsibility and positive motivation to help Idaho teens with a tough, disciplined education, all within a caring and respectful environment.

The Idaho National Guard, along with the state of Idaho, funds the IDYCA, which is located in Pierce, Idaho.

“It’s a quasi-military school, so you have military trainers that do things to help you figure out what you’re doing with your life,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert described IDYCA as a place that helps kids to grow and become better people.

Turning Point

Attending and graduating from the academy, he said, was a turning point in his life.

“I just wanted to be able to move ahead in life,” Gilbert said.

The program is five-and-a-half months long and has eight core components: academic excellence, leadership and followership, life coping skills, job skills, service to the community, responsible citizenship, health and hygiene, and physical fitness.

Gilbert said he had always been interested in joining the military, but after attending the National Guard-funded IDYCA, and doing additional research he decided to stay close to home and joined the Idaho Air National Guard.

Although he said his experience was worth it, he admitted that IDYCA was tougher for him than going through basic military training for the Air Force, but it has benefitted him as an airman because it’s something that most people don’t have.

Changed Perspective

“It has changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Gilbert said. “I used to be way different, but after going through the academy, basic, and tech school it changes the way you see the world.”

Gilbert said the academy changes people and it’s not worth it to give up; a person just has to keep pushing. Gilbert didn’t give up and the challenges that he faced while attending IDYCA have led him to successfully serve in the IDANG.

Face of Defense: Embarkation Marine Lives in the Details

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonah Baase 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

CAMP HANSEN, Japan, Dec. 13, 2017 — Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vivianlee Aguero thrives in a high operational tempo. “I love putting all of my effort into my job, because I can see it in the product,” she said. “Staying motivated and pushing through the busiest work times is the most satisfying feeling once it’s done.”

Aguero is an embarkation specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. She was born in Guam and lived there until her family moved to the United States when she was 2 years old. She completed high school at 17, moved back to Guam and enlisted in the Marine Corps.

“I joined because I wanted to see the world,” Aguero said. “Okinawa is my first duty station, and there are so many places you can travel to from here.”

Aguero’s first deployment was aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard with the 31st MEU during Fall Patrol 2017. During the deployment, the 31st MEU participated in Talisman Saber 17, a bilateral U.S.-Australian exercise held every two years.

“There was always something that needed to get done,” Aguero said. “You really get to understand how high the operational tempo is and gain a lot of experience on the job.”

Extra Shifts

During the deployment, she volunteered for extra duty shifts to fill free time, which she called ‘empty space,’ said Marine Corps Cpl. Edward Moskos, an embarkation specialist with VMM-265 and a coworker of Aguero’s.

“She always gets the job done and looks for more to do,” he said. “She’s always busy and hates having downtime.”

During her time here, Aguero consistently reviews her completed work and seeks guidance to improve. “She has a sharp mind,” Moskos said. “She can look at every fine detail in scheduling and ensure there are no complications during mission execution.”

Aguero said she hopes to travel back to Guam and visit the loved ones who cultivated her meticulous nature. In the meantime, she added, she plans on enjoying the island of Okinawa and influencing the Marines around her with a positive attitude.

“I put my heart into everything I do,” she said. “I love helping others. When I see their success, it motivates me.”