How do I begin this? It was an awesome experience to have been a part of the Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program. A lot of sacrifices took part to be part of a team of Non-Commissioned Officers, Drill Sergeants. In six months, we got to know each other and work together at FFA and AAB. I did not know what to expect as I tried to Google the program on-line. But as it began, and I did more and more events, I got to understand two things, recruiters are not as bad as I...read more

• 2 Comments

Today the Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Team spent their day at the Army Strong Zone. Everything from flight simulators, rock wall, medical equipment, weapons, you name it, it is here, right at Sunset Station. My day started escorting McCullom HS JROTC around the Army Strong Zone showing them the different areas and what the Army has to offer. Of course we had to show them the Drill Sergeant area: DS Peffer introducing the contestants. Explaining the rules....read more

• Post Comment

Here I am once again, in the greatest city in the country, Chicago, Illinois, my hometown. The weather is fair, and the snow is ice on the ground, just my type of weather. I miss home, but when opportunities like these come, you just cannot pass them by. On with the program: 16 DEC: Yesterday DS Robertson and myself headed out with CPT Martinez, who kindly picked us up from our hotel. Our event for the day was to conduct some PRT to about 35 Future...read more

• 1 Comment

This week I visited a few schools (talked to about 100+ kids) and conducted physical training to about 30 future Soldiers from the South Corpus Christi Recruiting Station. I went to Mary Carroll High School, which I visited twice and spoke to a group of Navy JROTC students. Ever since I have been doing DSEP and conducting presentations, I try to get a feel for the students. You get to see that first hand expression of a classroom environment and how they act. But once...read more

• Post Comment

I left home around the 28th of November and I headed out to Corpus Christi, TX. I picked a hotel near the bay, and to say the least it is an awesome view. That Monday I headed out to Portland, TX, which is about 15 minutes from where I stay at. I met up with SFC Rios at the recruiting station and went to Gregory-Portland HS where I had an opportunity to talk to a Science class. We also took time to set up a table with Army goodies and talk to the kids during their...read more

• Post Comment

Wrapping up my Florida visit was thee last event, NASCAR Miami Speedway in Homestead, FL. This was the last race of the season. I had spent almost two weeks in Florida, with a few days in Chicago for the Bears game and then high school visits around the area, spanning from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. The show car visits were fun, and NASCAR was not too bad. Friday 19th of Nov - On this day we had over 500 kids from different areas in Miami come over for the YES...read more

• 2 Comments

Upon my return from Chicago, I had some show car visits with the #39 Ryan Newman Army Race car before the NASCAR Homestead main event from the 19-21 of Nov. And this is how it went: 16 Nov: McFatter VoTech High School - Davie, FL I linked up with SFC Riggs at McFatter VoTech and SFC Gay, the local Army Recruiter. Same deal, engaging students and spearheading the push-up challenge. The students had to spin the wheel to win some great Army prizes or come see me for...read more

• Post Comment

PLANE: On the 13th of November, I flew out from Fort Lauderdale, FL to none other than, my hometown, Chicago, Illinois (The Windy City). I flew Southwest to Midway airport. At Fort Lauderdale, the line to pass the secured checkpoint was out of control. It went all the way from the start of the escalators, snaked around, not once, but twice, and the through TSA security. I am thinking, I am not going to make my flight. However, patience is a virtue, and in 25...read more

• 2 Comments

I grew up in a Hispanic household in Rogers Park on the North Side of Chicago. When Veterans Day came along in November, all I thought it was just another day off from school. No one in my family had served in the Armed Forces of the United States until I joined in 1998. And it is not like we were ignorant, but, it is one of those things that, as a young man, doesn't follow. Maturity level and what not. All I knew about joining the Army was it being...read more

• 2 Comments

So for the next couple of days I will be supporting the Fort Lauderdale Recruiting Company in sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL, and today I headed out to Margate, FL to support some future Soldier training at the Margate Recruiting Station. SFC Rodriguez and the rest of his recruiting station, along with some of the other recruiting stations in the area are some of the most compassionate Non-commissioned Officers that I have met. They take their time to make sure that these future Soldiers...read more

• Post Comment