04/01/2016
A MUST READ!
2 of your local recruiter's story!!
Meet Ray and Samantha, a husband and wife recruiting team! While Samantha and Ray work in two different positions in the United States Air Force Recruiting world, it's easy to see they both have incredible passion and talent for their job! Read more below to find out about Ray and Samantha, and be sure to "like" Because of the Brave to continue to read the stories of the men and women who defend our nation!
In Samantha's own words:
"Ever since I was a little girl I knew I was joining the Air Force. When I was in the 8th grade I remember telling my grandparents I wanted to visit the New Mexico Military Institute. I fell in love and begged to go there for high school, but for financial reasons, I could not attend. As soon as I turned 17, I enlisted during my junior year of high school, and signed up as an Air Traffic Controller.
Fate had something else in mind and during my senior year I became a statistic – a teenage pregnancy. My daughter Zoe Noel was born in August 2002, the month I was originally shipping out for basic military training. I was not willing to give up on my dream of serving and now I had Zoe to support which was even more motivation. I remember wanting Air Traffic Control again but realized life with a baby was stressful enough so I asked for a less demanding job. When my daughter was 6 months old I left for basic military training.
After 3 years in the Air Force, I reflected on everything the Air Force had done for me. I remember wondering how I could give back and express my gratitude. I was so eager to share my story and express how amazing the Air Force was, so I became a recruiter. I was able to change the lives of 93 young men and women in Stroudsburg, Pa. I went back to my career field but after another 3 years, recruiting was calling my name again. This time I recruited my husband to join as well!
I am extremely grateful for everything the Air Force has given me. At such a young age I was able to provide for my family and make something of myself. I am honored to have worked for some incredible leaders and serve next to some amazing peers. I was also able to cross paths with my husband and now we have two amazing boys, Cruz and Cortez. When the Air Force says my time is up I will start my new career as a nurse and vow to continue serving the men and women who fight for our country. I want my family and my country to look back on my life and see how dedicated and appreciative I was of our military."
In Ray's own words:
"In May of 1980, Cuba opened up its harbor in a movement named “The Mariel Boatlift” allowing any Cuban the chance to leave Cuba and go to the United States. My mother, who was 9 months pregnant with me at the time, hopped on a ship from Cuba to Miami with my 9 year old sister Iris. She risked her life and our lives so we could come to the United States and be FREE. Two days after my mother arrived to the United States I was born. I was born an American!
Fast forward growing up in Miami, Florida. My parents divorced when I was an infant. I grew up with very little money and I just tried to find my way as many young boys do. I graduated high school and attempted college. I was working full time and trying to pay for college on my own and soon realized that college at that time was not for me.
In May 1999 I remember getting a 911 page on my beeper from my sister Iris. I drove home in a hurry wondering what could have happened. I remember thinking it was probably my mother just being over dramatic as usual and was going to yell at me for something I did wrong. However, as soon as I walked through the doors I saw my stepfather and mother in tears. I instantly knew something horrible had happened. They grabbed me and told me that my father, who was my hero, had committed su***de. My whole world was turned upside down. I recall wanting to run but my stepfather grabbed me and told me I had to be a man for my sisters. At that moment in time I changed from a boy to the man of the family. I recall the last conversation I had with my father before he took his life. He told me he knew I had dropped out of college and that he wanted me to make something of myself. He wanted me to be better than him.
A few months later I enlisted in the Air Force and became an Aerospace Medical Technician. After 14 years as a medic and various deployments I was thinking of how I could give back to the Air Force. I was thinking of becoming a Professional Military Education instructor at first, but then my wife told me about recruiting. I realized recruiting was perfect for me! Not only would I be able to give back to the Air Force, I would be able to change the lives of others forever. I would be giving civilians the opportunity to better themselves and serve our great country in the greatest Air Force in the world.
Being a recruiter is everything I thought it would be and more. It is definitely one of the best jobs in the Air Force. The Air Force has given me so many things to be grateful for and proud of. The most important of those things is my beautiful wife, children, and a career I am proud to have."
