BRANCH:  MARINE CORPS
SERVICE:  12 YEARS
SPECIALTY:  F/A-18 PILOT
DEPLOYMENTS:  67 COMBAT MISSIONS IN AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ

Even as a kid, I was drawn to the military and aviation. So after college, I entered the Marine Corps. I attended OCS in 1995 and entered active duty in 1996. Platoon commander training and flight school went well enough to get me into the jet pipeline and eventually the F/A-18 Hornet. Across two deployments, I flew 67 missions and had the privilege of leading warfighters into combat. After finishing my career as a Hornet instructor pilot, God called me to be a Pastor.

Now, I serve as Pastor and Church Planting Director for Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, TX. I also lead the Saturate Austin Institute, equipping people biblically, theologically, and practically to live on mission in our city.

Operation Recon allows me to serve my brothers and sisters in uniform. Personally, I believe a relationship with God through Jesus is the most important thing in life, and helping others find that is my ultimate mission.

BRANCH:  NAVY
SERVICE:  14 YEARS
SPECIALTY:  INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST
DEPLOYMENTS:  OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM / OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

In 1999, I joined the Navy to financially help my family. Of course, I wanted to be a Seal. Instead, I found my niche processing high-level classified information for military planning in both strategic and tactical areas all over the world, including deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. After my service, I’ve worked as an accountability coach and a military consultant on film productions.

As a believer, the vision of Operation Recon resonated with me spiritually. I think the program will help strengthen the foundation of our men and women as they serve bravely. The spiritual knowledge and awareness they obtain through using the app is something they’ll be able to carry with them and use long after their time in the service is done.

BRANCH: ARMY | MAJOR
SERVICE: 15 YEARS
SPECIALTY: ADJUTANT GENERAL OFFICER
DEPLOYMENT: OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM / KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

Being the daughter of immigrants, I knew that I wanted to do something to give back to our family’s new country. This led me to join the US Army and become commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, after graduating from Texas A&M University. Following graduation, I was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas before deploying to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2012 for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2016, I attended the AG Captain’s Career Course (CCC) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and was assigned to the 2-2 Assault Helicopter Battalion at K-16, South Korea following graduation.

In 2017 I left active duty and began pouring my heart into missions including a three-month immersion Mission Trip to Israel and work closer to home in Port Arthur, Texas.

Currently, I live in New Jersey, am pursuing a career as an actor, and will attend the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC this fall. Operation Recon is giving me the opportunity to use my skills and talents to help others who have worn the uniform.

FEATURED GUEST: MISSION 01
BRANCH: ARMY
SERVICE: 11 YEARS
SPECIALTY: CIVIL AFFAIRS TEAM SERGEANT
DEPLOYMENTS: AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ, BRONZE STAR & PURPLE HEART

In 1999 (like the Prince song) I joined the military. Prior to that I grew up in Oklahoma and was set to attend college at Oklahoma State University (where I eventually graduated after dropping out 3 times. War is hell, ya know?). But then September 11th, 2001 hit and my military career and life took a different turn.

So here’s what’s true: I have my enemy marksmanship award (the Purple Heart) for wounds received in action while deployed to Afghanistan. I also earned a Bronze Star and two Army Commendation Medals for my actions overseas. I stayed enlisted for the eleven years I was in the U.S. Army and fought in Ramadi, Iraq during the most violent portion of the war. I also ended up losing my best friend in combat.

And here’s what’s not true: I was not Special Forces. People have wrongly assumed this and I have no idea why. While I did serve most of my time under Special Operations (Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command) and attended Defense Language Institute as well as the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, there is a major difference between Tier 1 operators and the work I did with a local and indigenous population.

FEATURED GUEST: MISSION 02
BRANCH: AIR FORCE
SERVICE: 32 YEARS
SPECIALTY: SENIOR ENLISTED ADVISOR TO THE CHIEF OF THE AIR FORCE RESERVE
DEPLOYMENTS: OPERATIONS ENDURING FREEDOM AND IRAQI FREEDOM

I was born into extreme poverty in Guatemala and abandoned by my mother at 5 years old. Sounds like a sad country song. Well, maybe a Tejano song, but you get the idea. Of course, I don’t remember anyone singing about child abuse, not in English or Spanish.

When I was 12, I was reunited with my mom, and we immigrated to the United States. I loved and appreciated my new country, and I was determined to give back to it. So in 1987, I enlisted in the Air Force and served as a medical technician and aeromedical evacuation craftsman. That included honorable service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Then in 1993, I transferred to the Air Force Reserve and deployed twice, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

After returning, I received multiple promotions, eventually becoming the 17th Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Air Force Reserve Command and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve. I also served as a Criminal Investigator for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. I even received national recognition from the United States Congress. With every promotion and recognition, I was personally grateful and also thrilled to serve the country that had adopted me. But deep down, I also knew something was missing.

FEATURED GUEST:  MISSION 03
BRANCH:  AIR FORCE
SERVICE:  2 YEARS
SPECIALTY:  COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Football was my ticket. Starting quarterback my freshman year, and led the team in touchdowns. High school was great. This was South Florida football, and I was the star. Team captain. Tons of attention. Lots of support. Had good grades, too. Near the top of my class. So, I had lots of offers.

God was good. He was blessing me with everything I hoped for. Who doesn’t want to play D1 football at the Air Force Academy? My mom was so excited. Teachers, principals, even the local news were all excited. My plan was coming together. God was very good.

Then, the plan changed…drastically! My life was turned upside down. What was God doing? Why was he letting this happen? Was he still good?

FEATURED GUEST: MISSION 04
BRANCH: USMC
SERVICE: 4 YEARS
SPECIALTY: FORCE RECON MARINE
DEPLOYMENTS: EIGHT AFGHANISTAN DEPLOYMENTS, PART OF JSOC TASK FORCE

When my wife knocked on the door, I was in the closet with my pistol in my hand. I hid the gun under a blanket, like a kid being ashamed of something he was caught doing.

Then, I answered the door and we got into another argument. In that argument, she asked me a question that radically changed my life. She asked me how I could do everything I did to become a Recon Marine, training for these deployments, doing all these crazy things I did in the military, training for these MMA fights. “How could you do all of that professionally, and when it comes to your family, you’ll quit?”

It cut me to my soul. I didn’t know how, but I knew I had to make a change. And, I knew I couldn’t do it alone.