SOLDIERS from Guam and CNMI have been visiting the islands over the last few days to share their success stories in the U.S. Army.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sebastian Atalig Camacho, who is with U.S. Army Pacific, said he, 1st Lt. Belizabeth Rengiil and Sgt. 1st Class Steven Masga sat down with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, the mayors of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam and the instructors of the Junior Reserve Officers Training course in the Marianas, and talked about the many opportunities the U.S. Army offers to young members of the community.
Camacho is from Saipan while Rengiil and Masga are from Guam and Rota, respectively.
In an interview after a meeting with the governor on Monday, Camacho said their visits are part of the Army’s recruiting efforts through the Soldier Referral Program or SRP. He said they share their stories and experiences in hopes of inspiring others to consider the Army as a career opportunity or a stepping stone for another career.
Through SRP, the U.S. Army offers promotion incentives to soldiers who refer individuals to their local recruiting stations.
On Saipan, the recruiting station is the Armed Forces Career Center on Beach Road in Chalan Laulau. The recruiting officer for the CNMI is Sgt. 1st Class Elliot Garrido. If anyone is interested or knows somebody who is interested in joining the U.S. Army, “please reach out to the recruiting officer,” Camacho said.
“The U.S. Army taught me that I must never leave a fallen comrade,” he added, “The Army Ranger School taught me to always be ready to display the intestinal fortitude required to complete the mission. So when I saw my fellow islanders needing help carrying the ‘cross,’ I knew I had to jump in. And once I put my hand on it, I was not going to quit until we made it up the mountain,” Camacho said.
He clarified that they are not recruiters. They are on active duty and are here to inspire young people and let them know that “we were just like them.”
“I was not the best student in high school,” he said. “I took JROTC in junior and senior years and I was not very good at it, but I chose to enlist in the Army and I had to make the best of it. The Army offered me a lot of opportunities. It offered me promotions, education and everything. I am just here to let them know that I was there and was able to do it.”
Camacho added, “We really appreciate the governor’s support in what we are trying to accomplish here.” He likewise thanked the mayors of Tinian, Rota and Saipan, for their support and for making sure that the youth know there are opportunities out there.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sebastian Atalig Camacho, right, with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios at the governor’s office on Monday.
