My name is Lisa Marine Arocho and I am Puerto Rican. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York where I lived until the age of 10 years old. Wanting more opportunities for us, my parents made many sacrifices for us by leaving Brooklyn and moving to Virginia Beach, VA, where we have been living since 1989. The first couple of years were the most difficult as we adjusted to a new surrounding and especially as my father commuted every other weekend due to work. It was perhaps that during this time that I understood Hispanic values and the true meaning of sacrifice. During high school I was enrolled in a Naval Junior Reserves Officer Program where I got my first taste of the military experience. It was during that time that I found something that I excelled at. I enjoyed drill competitions, feeling pride when I wore my uniform, and leading. More importantly, I learned what it meant to have responsibility. Overall it was a great experience; however, at the time I did not think that I would join the military. After high school, I went to college and earned my bachelor’s degree in Political Science with thoughts of attending law school or graduate school.

It was immediately after college that I took a temporary job as a long-term substitute military science teacher at my former high school; it was at this time that I realized that all of my life there were little signs that pointed me in the direction of the military.

During the year 2003 I spoke to a Marine Corps selection officer and decided that this branch of service was for me, after all, most of my life experiences’ pointed me to this challenging direction. Going into the officer program was a challenge, both mentally and physically. With some determination, motivation, and support from my family and friends I was commissioned in the Marine Corps during December 2003. Immediately after my commissioning, I attended about a year of school (The Basic School and Ground Supply Officer School). In October 2004, immediately after school, I checked into my new duty station in Okinawa, Japan. While in Japan I deployed as an individual augment to Iraq. After my two years in Japan was up, I was stationed in Parris Island, SC where I had the greatest opportunity to serve with the Marine Corps finest. It was here where “Marines were made.� While at Parris Island I served as a Series Commander and Company Commander.

Though after three years of long and challenging days, my time there was a great learning experience. I am currently stationed in Quantico, VA at the Expeditionary Warfare School. My experiences’ in the military have been outstanding. People always ask why I decided to join the most difficult branch and the truth is that the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, and commitment mirror the values of most Hispanic families. Hispanic families focus on teamwork, doing the right things, working hard, taking care of each other, making sacrifices, and perseverance. From a very young age my parents instilled these values to my brother, sister, and I. They taught us not to accept the status quo, but to go far and beyond it. Today, we find many Hispanic families that have also lived by this idea. Just listen to the stories of Marine Corps Brigadier General Angela Salinas, Sergeant Major Laura Brown, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and you will quickly find that their life experiences and successes go hand in hand with their upbringing as proud Latinas. These outstanding leaders are great examples and I can only hope one day to rise to the same ranks as them. I know that similarly to these fine Latinas, I owe all of my gratitude to my parents for making sacrifices to make me who I am today. Semper Fidelis!