As a native of El Salvador, my mother and I immigrated to the United States when I was 4 years old in the context of a civil war. I grew up living the immigrant American lifestyle, which meant learning how to fit in and at the same time never forgetting what was left behind. I was able to obtain opportunities for a good education, away from the perils of war. I was raised with a sense of patriotism for the USA that involved gratitude for the opportunities and life that I would otherwise not have had. Being American meant having the freedom to achieve your ultimate best. As a result, I graduated at the top of my high school class and enlisted in the Navy with the goal of achieving my ultimate best and serving my country.

Fifteen years after enlisting in the Navy as a nuclear power mechanic, I find myself with a Ph.D. education, serving at the Role 3 hospital in the “sand box” of Kandahar, Afghanistan as the clinical psychologist. Over the past 15 years, I have had numerous challenges and achievements. Serving as a clinical psychologist at a NATO trauma hospital in Afghanistan is perhaps one of my top achievements. I take care of our service members with a range of experiences, from those who are having difficulty adjusting to deployment to those having severe combat stress reactions. I also take great pride in running a program that provides support to the hospital staff. Our staff treats multiple traumas a day and save the lives of our wounded warriors and Afghans. It is an absolute honor to care, not only for our wounded, but also those who save the lives of our wounded heroes.

As an 18-year-old, I could not have imagined what my life would become and all the twists and turns that were to follow. After a year of enlistment, I was awarded a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to the George Washington University. I graduated with honors and served as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), or ship driver, onboard the USS BELLEAU WOOD and USS PEARL HARBOR out of San Diego, California. After three years as a SWO, I was awarded a scholarship to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) where I earned my doctorate. At USUHS, I deployed with the crew of the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ. I completed my internship/residency at the National Naval Medical Center where I worked with wounded warriors from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). It was a difficult yet rewarding assignment. After completing residency, I was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan. Living in Japan gave me the opportunity for personal growth and the opportunity to travel to places like China, Vietnam and Cambodia. I’ve had memorable experiences, such as experiencing the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji, riding an elephant around Angkor Wat and climbing the Great Wall of China.

Joining the Navy was a hard decision. The hardest part was leaving my family and friends in New Jersey. I’ve incorporated my family into my travels and accomplishments. My parents have been there for every graduation and I’ve had the opportunity of flying them to meet me around the country and the world (e.g., California, Hawaii). Also, my parents see the joy and fulfillment that serving the United States has brought me and they could not be prouder.

While boots on ground, every day, I am reminded of why I joined the Navy. I wanted to serve with the best, help my country, and as an immigrant, I wanted to show this great nation how thankful I am to be a part of it. It is truly an honor to serve. Furthermore, my story illustrates how great this country can be… I am a United States Naval Officer, doctor, OEF veteran, and immigrant, and proud to be all of the above.