Yesterday I attended the 2010 DoD/HENAAC Luncheon.  Here, HENAAC presented awards to dedicated cadets from every branch of service for their exemplary performance in academics and must hold a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) career field.  Not only for their exemplary performance in academics, but for volunteering and helping others to achieve higher goals and each told a brief story about themselves and what has helped them become the future leader in the military.  They reached out to the high school students that were in the audience by sharing their personal experiences.  

This is Army ROTC Cadet Kathryn Rodrigues.  She received the HENAAC ROTC Cadet Award for her outstanding leadership in helping others and her exemplary volunteer work.

COL (RET) Juan Fernandez, Anjelica Caraballo, and DS Tello.

I also had a chance to speak with COL (RET) Juan Fernandez.  He has recently retired from the Army with 30 years of military service.  He now is the Director for Military Development Programs at Nova Datacom.  When I shook his hand, he looked at my combat service stripes, and my uniform, and was just amazed of what I have accomplished.  The truth is, your uniform tells your story.  His advice was not to get out of the military just yet and to continue to pursue my education.  If I ever need help after I retire, look him up.  There is life after retirement after all.  And I agree.  Just something to add to my tool box.  Ms. Caraballo works with one of the agencies assisting Accessions Command/G7.  Real awesome person to work with.  She was also at HACU in one of my recent events in San Diego, CA.