Tag: AG CORPS

The University of Texas at Arlington offers the "Maverick Speakers Series", a free to the public opportunity to listen to (and dialog with) some of the most influential voices in politics, science, art, and business today.  I often encourage my cadets to attend these events, especially the speakers that have something to say about the future of today's American military.

Last night, I attended the sold out lecture by David Gergen, CNN's Political Analyst.  Gergen has been an observer, analyst, and participant in American politics for more than 30 years. Though he's perhaps best known for his insightful commentary on CNN, he formerly served as director of communications for President Reagan and held positions in the administrations of Presidents Nixon and Ford. He counseled President Clinton on foreign policy and domestic affairs and was special international adviser to the president and to Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Besides his work on CNN, Gergen is a professor of public service and the director of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and is also editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Report. He also authored the best-selling Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.
 

More than his impressive resume, he was simply a great speaker.  I enjoyed his description of the "WWII Presidents" (Presidents Eisenhower through Bush Sr.) who had grown up/come of age during WWII.  All except for Carter (who was still a midshipman at the US Naval Academy at the conclusion of WWII) had been influenced significantly through their military service during the war.  This shared sacrifice and service to an objective larger than themselves couldn't help but shape their administrations.

As a member of a generation that is decades removed from the experiences of these "WWII Presidents", I wonder what our experiences in shared sacrifice and service to something bigger than ourselves might be.

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

I'm back! It has been a while since my last posting. I was trying to get an active-duty tour. I almost got to go to Iraq, but he unit had all the officers it needed and left without me (sob, sob!) Yeah, it sounds crazy, but some of us actually like to go on missions, no matter where. do not take me wrong, I am no Rambo, but I truly like to serve my country as a soldier.

I was trying to get a mission in South America, but was offered a position in Fort Dix, which i accepted. So next year I will be the S-1 (Human Resources Officer) at the RTC mission in Fort Dix. Whoa! i am looking forward to get there. The good thing about this is that at least I will be in th U.S. and will get to see my family once in a while, as opposed to be overseas.

Next month (October) I will start my first class the Masters in Information Technology at Strayer University. I considered an MBA, and actually was registered with another university, but decided to go for computers as this always been my "first love". I was a Computer Science major back in 1984, worked as a computer operator for many years in both civilian and the military, and have this as one of my hobbies. It should take me about three years part-time to complete the program.

The picture on the left was taken before my unit left from Camp Eagle II in Saudi Arabia toward Kuwait back in 1991. the group was formed by all the "chairbornes" of the division: Personnel, JAG, IG, Finance, etc. The one on the right was taken also in 1991, right before the air campaign started. I actually got to take some R&R in the famous "Love Boat." It says "Cunard Princess" because it was acquired by this company, but used to be the "Pacific Princess."  Some of my buddies got mad becasue i was chosen to go, even when I did not drink alcohol (that is all that was on their minds!). Well, you don't have to drink to have fun! I enjoyed the trip and have good memories of it, contrary to those who jut got drunk their time there.

Well, time to go. Stay tuned for more, and God bless!

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

I had the opportunity to go TDY to Fort Lee, Virginia for the opening of the US Army Women's Museum's "Kevlar and Crowns" exhibit.  What a pleasure it was to meet 4 of the other subjects of this story of "Soldier Beauty Queens".  Robynne Dexter, archivist for the museum, was the master mind behind the exhibit - she did a phenomenal job of capturing us as we really are: American Soldiers who are complicated women.  I could not be more proud than to be a part of this exhibit with these incredible women!

For more details on the exhibit, check out the following links:

http://www.fortleetraveller.com/articles/2009/07/30/news/top_stories/top06.txt

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/WOME01_20090731-215404/283415/

http://www.progress-index.com/articles/2009/08/04/news/military/pi_progindex.20090804.b.pg1.pi0804milexhibit_s1.2707310_mil.txt

Libby, me, and Athene at the entrance of the US Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee, VA

My OIF 06-08 uniform (in the front) and my OIF II uniform (to the right)

Some of the exhibit's subjects

My gold spurs and a bottle of "Revlon Red" nail polish

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 The weekend is almost here for me! Today is Friday, but I work Saturdays, so for practical porpuses is Thursday. I am getting ready to go to an Army-sponsored retreat in Tennessee, we are both very excited. Fort Campbell was my second duty station after Korea. On my way there I made a quick stop and marry my fiancee'', whom I had not seen for 17 months! It was not easy, but we made it. Next August will be 21 years of marriage. I would be lying if I tell you thay are has been wondefull, but I can tell you it has been worth it, I will do it again. She has been with me thru three deployments and Korea, my wife Loyda has been a real trooper. By the way, nice picture, isn't? Although, I had always had a thing for the way I put my hand for the picture. I guess I did not want to look too "Army", look more relax, civilian-like. Anyhow, those were the good ol' times!

I have been working on my OER this week. There are times were you have to take some of the work home with you. Commitment in the Reserves does not stop when the assembly is over. Many times one has to take personal time to make things happen, specially when it pertains to one's career. I do it gladly. Serving the Lord, being married, and being a soldier, are the three things that I have done for the longest.

Stay tuned.

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Hello again! Today my wife's relatives left after a week of vacation in Florida. I am beat! We took them around town and the parks, including Busch Gardens in Tampa. I got sick but kept driving on, the mission had to be accomplished. Only God knows when they will have another chance to come to Florida on vacation.

This is one of my favorites pictures of myself. It was taken outside Camp Humphreys, Korea, back in 1988. I was assigned to the 516th Personnel Services Company. This is a tour that is dreaded and loved as well by many. Some people dislike the distance and the difference in culture, while others just love it because of the same reason! Personally, I got mix feelings about it. I was hoping to be asigned to Germany or Panama, but Korea proved to be a test and a blessing for me. There was a lot of work due to my MOS, I was one of two soldiers with the MOS. In addition, we had training constantly. And live as a Private in the Army is not easy. Well, to make long story short, by the end of my tour I was a Specialist (in 14 months, no bad!), had an Army Achievement Medal, A Commendation Medal, and an Overseas Tour Ribbon (a Korean Defense Service medal will be added two decades later). No bad for a firt tour. and nno, I did not party, I behaved very well, and got married with my fiancee' once I got back to the states. This, 21 years ago...

Well, staty "tuned" for more. See ya'!

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

I am back! It has been a very busy week, (And when is not!). I just had Battle assembly (aka, drill) this past weekend. Our battalion went to Avon Park, Florida, to an Air Force base to do weapons qualification. I have to confess that my shooting is not the same as when I was younger, but I still qualified with the M-16A2. By the way, the weapon that I am holding in the picture is an M16A1. Yes that is me back in Vietnam... not really! But it looks so old compared to todays soldier, that I like to say it is me back in "Nam". i got to use the old "steel pot" helmet in Basic Training and AIT. Well, back to my Battle Assembly, we had a good time shooting targets and getting some valuable training. We did some Physical Training, but it started to rain, which it did not stopped us from exercising, but once we were soaked and wet, it started to have lightning. Now, that is a different 'business! So we went inside and got ready for the BBQ dinner that we were having. Not bad for a weekend, and I got paid to do it! (O-2E w/22 yrs of srvc, go and find out how much!)

On that picture I was at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, former home of the US Army Soldier Support Institute. I had a GREAT time there. No, I did not party and went all crazy, but the place and the training was awesome. I really miss that base. Now the Adjutant General Corps School is in Fort Jackson, SC. I like it, but is it sort of big for my taste. However, i love South Carolina, plus there is a lot of great restaurants and places around Fort Jackson.

Would you believe that when I joined the military I went to the recruiting station to join the Air Force? Well, I walked int the AF office, no one was there, turned around, and joined the Army. the rest is history. The Air Force is nice, but I would have never had the experiences and opportunities that I had in the Army. Sometimes i 'envy" those Airmen, but I tell you, if I had to do it all over again, I still joined the United States Army! Hoooah!

Well, I got visitors from Puerto Rico at "Hotel Nieves." Free stay for my wife's relatives, Free driver (me), free cook (me), free tourist guide (me). It is OK, it is the 2nd time that have come to visit us in almost 21 years of marriage. Stay tuned.

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Here is my 30 second Army "Elevator Speech" (you know, the hypothetical "Here's what's important about me" pitch you would give to a stranger in the time it took you to get to where you were going on an elevator...): 

I'm an Army officer, a new mom, and come from a proud/humble family of patriots.  I earned my commission through Army ROTC at The University of Texas at Arlington in 1998 and was commissioned as an Adjutant General Corps officer.  Since then, I've served in such exotic locations as Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Hood, Texas; and all over Iraq.  I have truly learned that it doesn't matter where you are, but who you're with; I've been able to serve with some of the Army's best, which has made the journey all the better. 

My two younger brothers are also military officers: Brad is a Major in the Air Force, and Dave is a Lieutenant in the Navy.  My husband recently left the Army as a Major and now works as an Engineer.  My grandfather served as a Combat Engineer with the First Cavalry Division in the South Pacific during WWII.  Nothing made me more proud than to serve my company command time in the First Cavalry Division as well. 

I am currently the Battalion Executive Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science back at my alma mater - I teach the Freshman Cadets and couldn't ask for a better job.  My husband and I recently welcomed our first child in May.  Being a leader of Soldiers has definitely prepared me for the challenges of motherhood.

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

My name is 1LT Josue D. Nieves. I am currently an Executive Officer (XO) in the Reserves. I joined the Army in 1987. You may be wondering: How is that someone that joined the military so long ago still a lieutenant?

Well, when I joined the Army I was a Private (E-1). After four years on Active Duty I went to the Individual Ready Reserve (aka. Inactive Reserve). Soon as was itching for some action, and I joined the Reserves in Orlando, Florida, my new home. That was back in 1992. In 2004 I was deployed to Kuwait. There I had the opportunity to get a direct commission as an officer. I did the paperwork, and in 2007, by the direction of the President of the United States, and the grace of God, I was sworn as an officer in the Army Reserves.

I has been a long and exciting "voyage." Despite some hardships, I have no regrets about it, and I am looking forward to serve many more years. I will talk more about my life and adventures in the Army in the following weeks. I love to share with others the goodness of serving others. That is what I do in the Army. Stay tuned.

PS. This picture was taken in Dahlonega, Georgia. Very nice, ah?

 Email

 Print

 Comments

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•