Hello, My name is Jessica B Adams (aka JBrandi the Drummer Girl), soon to be PFC Adams. I am from San Antonio, TX where there is everything from BBQ and Mexican food to Chinese Buffets and Fast Food restaurants! I decided to join the Army Strong family after 6 years of going from job to pointless job and feeling like I was getting no where in college. I wanted to be part of a group that was larger than myself and wanted to use my hardworking skills to actually get ahead in life. I used to be in sports since 5th grade and have always been in shape. After I graduated I worked a couple of jobs and went to school full time and my weight went to 230+ pounds for a 5'3" female. I decided that I wanted to turn my life around and do something for myself. So I went to a great friend of mine (We will call her Ms. Luke so she won't be embarrassed) and asked for her help. I visited local recruiters to see where I stood as far as weight standards go. Most of them took one look at me and said "Only thing I can tell you is just lose weight!" I got discouraged time and time again until my friend told me to give it one more try. Sure enough, I found a recruiter to give me a chance after I told him how I wanted to turn my life around. He took me to take the ASVAB and took my measurements. Sadly (LOL) I had to lose 60 pounds to get down to 151 pounds!! He told me to keep going and keep up the hard work. So I took 4 workout classes at a local college, including Jogging, Weight training, Cardio Kickboxing, and yes, Fencing! My final was a 10 mile marathon, Fencing Competition in which I placed 2nd place and bench pressing close to 150 pounds! At the end of 5 months I went back and still needed 25 pounds to lose. I was getting disappointed once again because I had done so much hard work throughout the semester. So I went on my own, along side my best friend Ms. Luke and once again pushed myself beyond belief on my own without a coach doing my own 10 mile marathons around San Antonio and hitting the gym countless times. I took a visit to my recruiter after 4 more months and I weighed 148! This past August, I went to MEPS (hit a snag) and took my first Oath of Enlistment in August (was in the first round of marines, sailors and airmen to take my oath) and only my best friend was there bright and early to take photos cheering me on. I can't explain the feeling of accomplishing something like losing 85 pounds and joining the United States Army after 8 months of endless work. I leave for boot camp next year and I will truly be one of the best and hardest working Soldiers out there only because I have been put through so much from being homeless to being sick and losing everything. Finally as a Future Soldier (92Y) I will be the accomplished adult I want to be at 25 years old and I owe it to my best friend (Ms. Luke who has been there from day 1 pushing me to never stop) and my recruiter.
Army Strong 2012!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Future Soldier Jessica Adams
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Future Soldier Mary Macdonald
Where to begin? I am a 33 years old, happily married to my high school sweet heart, and have two children 15 and 10 years old. I decided to join the Army to give my family a better life than what we have been living. I am college educated and hold a teaching certification here in Maine. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts I lost my teaching job this year and have found it very difficult to find another one. So after some thought I decided that what better way to guarantee my children's future than to help fight for it along side some of the the best men and women America has to offer. I can't wait to start my life in the Medical Corps and some day...I think I see Officer in my future??!! HOOAH! ARMY STRONG! only 3 1/2 months left before BCT at Fort Sill Oklahoma!!!!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Future Soldier Kevin Arguello
Well, I'm originally from Spain. I was born there, I studied there, I have my
friends and family there... Everything. Once I was thinking about my future after finishing High School; my first thought was joining the military. I won't lie, it was difficult to leave everything behind and come here with some relatives to start a new life by my own. The journey has been as difficult as it could be for someone whose parents are Spanish and American: Problems here and problems there! But the thought of giving up never crossed my mind. I kept fighting for what I wanted. For my dream. For my future.
I studied for the ASVAB really hard (as I said, my English level is pretty good but
not as good as someone who lived here all his life, so I had difficulties to study in another language, even if I knew 90% what I was reading or working on). I submitted all my package materials, including my transcripts from High School, reported to MEPS several times, talked to the recruiters, passed my medical check-ups and picked the job I wanted based on my score and my capabilities... And FINALLY, signed my contract:The contract that offered me the greatest training and resources for my future.
I chose 68W opt. 40 (Combat Medic Airborne Ranger). I couldn't be more satisfied and proud of myself: Proud of what I've accomplished on my own, with hard work, a daily strong mind setting of what I want and what I know I'm able to do.
I came here Sept. 2010 and signed April 2011; Nothing is free, but my story definitely shows that you can get what you want if you really want it.
Hope this helps other people to fight or keep fighting for their dreams.
We all are part of the brotherhood now.
HOOAH Future Soldiers and all service members of the military!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Future Soldier Amanda DiStefano
My name is Amanda DiStefano and I am from Philadelphia, PA. At the age of 25, I decided to join the Army. I want a career change into something more meaningful. I also desire to apply my skills and strengths as a civilian to better serve my country. I always had the Reserves in the back of my mind but decided to go Active Duty. My MOS is 42A Human Resources Specialist. After being in DEP for 5 months, I am confident I made the right decision and am looking forward to the transformation into Specialist DiStefano. Hooah!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Future Soldier Ashley Baylor
My name is Ashley Baylor. My MOS is 68E Dental Specialist. I decided to join the ARMY because I was uncertain about my future last summer when I was seventeen. At that moment, I knew my four years of JROTC was meant for something and I love the military lifestyle. I may be young at nineteen to serve my country, but I was meant for it. Now, I have about four months to wait before I leave for BCT. I'm ready for this new part of my life in the ARMY.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Future Soldier Justin Miller
My name is Justin Miller and my MOS is 25S Satellite Communications Systems Maintainer/Operator. I always had a strong sense of duty and loyalty towards my country. I spent two years in my High School's JROTC program and during that time, my dedication, patriotism, and efficiency allowed me to rise up to the rank of Captain. I decided to join the Army, because I saw it as a way to maintain my family's honor and tradition of serving in the military. I want to do my country proud and lay everything that I can on the line if need be. I leave in November to go to Ft. Benning, GA upon my graduation I will officially be a PFC thanks to my JROTC and FS Training. After my BCT and AIT I will go back to Benning for Airborne School and afterwards hopefully Ranger School. I want to stay true to what the Army commands of me and be all that I can be. I strive to be the top in everything that I do.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Future Soldier Keila Orozco
Hi my name is Keila and I am 27yrs old. I joined the Army because my father was a proud Vietnam Veteran and when I was little he would to sit me down and tell me his war stories. I knew since then that this is what I was meant to do. I tried to join right out of high school, but in my last month of school I found out that I was going to have a child. Eight years later I am now married and have someone I trust to look after my son once I leave. It's taken me a long time to do this and Im so EXCITED that I now am able to!