Courtesy Photo | Spc. Meirong Wang, a human resources specialist for the 4th Brigade Special Troops...... read more read more
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Spc. Meirong Wang, a native of China's Fujian province, was about to finish her college degree and start teaching high school physics when she was granted the opportunity to leave China and travel to the United States.
"When you see a different country, it's not about the country or the area, it's about the people," she said about her decision to leave China.
Wang, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was not in America long before she volunteered to serve her new country.
"People are brave to stand up for the things [they] want to fight for," she said about her fellow Soldiers.
Since then, Wang has strived to serve as an outstanding Soldier and was recently selected as Soldier of the quarter for Task Force Mountain Warrior.
Wang said she is proud to be here, and cited the discipline required in the military as something that makes it different from any other career.
"As long as you maintain discipline, you want to do better," she said.
Wang, a human resources specialist for the 4th Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Mountain Warrior, uses her discipline to better herself every day.
"Specialist Wang makes my job easy," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st class Jason A. Coulter, Wang's non-commissioned officer in charge. "Her work ethic, attention to detail and the willingness to take on responsibilities [make her] the type of Soldier leaders want and the Army needs."
Wang's discipline and desire to do better drives her every day, but she still faces some challenges as she develops as a Soldier.
Coulter, of Fairfield, Calif., said that the language barrier is one thing he sees that bothers his troop.
"Specialist Wang has identified that as a weakness and has improved her English tremendously," he said. "As leaders, we identify our weaknesses and seek self improvement. Wang has many characteristics of a leader and that is just one of them."
Wang attributes much of her success to her fellow Soldiers and leaders.
"I really appreciate my unit," she said.
To earn Soldier of the quarter, Wang had to face many challenges; however, her teammates were strived to help her to prepare. Even though the competition was an individual event, it still took a team effort for her be selected.
"So many people stood behind me and supported me," Wang said.
Wang said her leaders want her to be a good leader as well.
"They also tell my comrades we need to support each other to be good leaders," she said.
"Specialist Wang and her co-workers pulled together as a team; they went to the gym together, woke up early and did physical training; and the team drilled her with evaluation board questions daily," Coulter said.
"Supporting each other is really the most important part of teamwork," Wang said.
The support paid off and through training and teamwork, Wang was selected as the Soldier of the quarter.
"There's no way I could win this board without everyone here," Wang said.
Coulter said it was typical of Wang to give credit to her leadership and fellow Soldiers.
"She is an unselfish Soldier (who) exemplifies selfless service," he said.
Wang said she felt her unit has helped her outside of the "Soldier of the Quarter" competition as well, working to shape her into a leader.
"I'm so lucky to have good leadership," she said. "I've learned so much from them."
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2009 12:20 |
| Story ID: | 40742 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 456 |
| Downloads: | 437 |
This work, To support, defend: Chinese immigrant chooses to become a Soldier, defend her adopted nation, by SPC Eugene Cushing, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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