#DoD Leader Credits Success to Hispanic Heritage

By Shannon Collins DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2014 - The importance of community and sense of service before self are important aspects of Hispanic heritage that translate into military culture, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for warrior care policy said in a DoD News interview last week. Education, mentorship and the ability to take on challenges and seek opportunities also will help junior enlisted, officer and civilian Defense Department Hispanic employees succeed in advancement, said James Rodriguez, a retired Marine Corps first sergeant who served in uniform for 21 years. Sense of community Hispanics have a propensity to want to serve, so they serve in their communities, and it's natural for them to serve in the military, because they're serving their nation, Rodriguez said. "A lot of them come from countries where they're not citizens of the U.S, but because of the opportunities the U.S. has provided them and their family members, they felt an obligation to give back to the military and to serve the nation that provided so much for them," he added. "Hispanics are willing to serve in a capacity that's unselfish in most cases because they did that growing up in their society in their family, putting others before themselves," he said. "They really take that to heart, and they put the service of their Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Coast Guardsmen above themselves first. It's easily transferrable when they go into the military culture, and that allows them to be successful." He said Hispanic Americans also want to challenge themselves, and he noted that nearly five dozen of the nation's Medal of Honor recipients since World War II came from within the Hispanic community. "What's inspired me has really been the need to challenge myself and the opportunity to provide a better life for my family," said Rodriguez, who has two daughters in college. "I really wanted to provide them with the opportunities and resources I didn't have growing up. And I think that's important, because during that process, I instilled in them a sense of pride, a sense of character, but also a sense of serving others." His daughters grew up while he was serving in the military, Rodriguez said, and they volunteer in various activities while they're in college. "I think that piece has been really critical for my development as an individual," he said. "I'm proud of my family." Maintaining culture and heritage Rodriguez, a Mexican-American, grew up in the small town of Aransas Pass, Texas, with a population of 7,000. Growing up with his family and maintaining his culture and heritage, as well as the sense of community, was very important, he said. "In our culture, family is very important," Rodriguez said. "We want to make sure we really support our families no matter what endeavors they have, and most importantly, we want to get them educated so they can be productive members of society." Rodriguez said he encourages others wishing to succeed to seek out challenging positions. "I sought out opportunities and special duty assignments people weren't willing to take, such as being a Marine Corps drill instructor two times, and I did that throughout my entire career," he said. "Take the road that's less traveled, because that leads you to greater opportunities. That helped with the promotion process and with the development of my leadership style, which carried into the civilian world. "When I retired, I did the same thing," he continued. "I could have taken the easier path, but I chose to go into the business world, and that experience helped me come back to the Pentagon, which helped me remain involved with the men and women who serve our great nation." The value of mentorship Rodriguez also credits his success to his mentor, retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sam Flores, a Vietnam veteran and fellow Mexican-American who worked his way up the enlisted ranks before becoming an officer. Flores retired after 32 years of service. "We both came from modest means growing up and had some of the same hardships," Rodriguez said. "He really guided me along the path and instilled in me the fact that education is a great equalizer. He knew you needed to get educated so you could better understand where you were going, and that's what I did. I eventually ended up with a master's degree." It's incumbent on those who have had opportunities to attain certain levels within the military and civilian society to educate our younger men and women as they try to find their paths, Rodriguez said. "I'm proud of the fact that I can be a role model for the younger men and women as they're looking to figure out what they're next path is," he added. Hispanic American Heritage Month Hispanic American Heritage Month runs Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.Rodriguez said he believes it is important to recognize Hispanic Americans and their heritage. "We are part of the mainstream culture in American society and have the majority population right now as an ethnic group in the United States, so it's important for people to understand the contributions Hispanics make, the things we have within the culture because it is diverse," Rodriguez said. "We have so many diverse populations in this country, and that's what's so great about our nation," he added. "Each one of them has something unique to that particular culture, and it's good for us in a society to really understand those cultures because we can better understand how they can contribute to society and to the workforce." Rodriguez said that regardless of their heritage or culture, people should challenge themselves, work hard, get educated, seek mentorship and use the opportunities that are available. "America is the land of opportunity," he said. "Seize those opportunities. Educate yourself. Challenge yourself. You have to have a mentor that really allows you to understand the path you need to take in the process of trying to excel in promotions. Then you can be a role model for the next generation. All things can be achieved with hard work and education."