Camp Arifjan celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with base wide observance

Photo By Capt. Isra Pananon | Capt. Jose Jimenez stands on the campus of the United States Military Academy at West Point as a cadet. He recently served as the keynote speaker for the Camp Arifjan Hispanic Heritage Month observance and reflected on his experience as a cadet and student, Oct. 2. (U.S. Army Photo by 1st Lt. Isra Pananon)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

10.17.2014

Story by 1st Lt. Isra Pananon 

3d Medical Command Deployment Support

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – On Oct. 2, 2014, the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) Operational Command Post (Forward) hosted a Hispanic Heritage observance at the Zone 1 Chapel for the Camp Arifjan community.

During the months of October and November, Hispanic Heritage Month observances and events are held at military installations all over the world to celebrate Hispanic heritage and acknowledge the cultural richness and diversity in the United States Army and armed forces.

This year’s observance at Camp Arifjan featured cultural displays, a musical performance, and dynamic speakers focused on the 2014 theme: “Hispanics: A legacy of history, a present of action and a future of success.”

The 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) Operational Command Post (Forward) preventive medicine consultant, Capt. (Dr.) Jose Jimenez, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

Reflecting on his Costa Rican heritage, his dreams of becoming an astronaut, and experience as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Jimenez addressed his pride as an officer in the United States Army and attributed his success to his family and culture.

“My dream has changed a little bit as I grew up, from being an astronaut, to becoming an engineer, and then a soldier. But throughout my life, I have always remembered the lessons from mi abuelo (my grandfather), mi mama (my mother), and mi papa (my father).”

Jimenez also addressed the challenges with becoming a West Point cadet because of his Costa Rican citizenship at the time of his application.

“I wrote letters and asked for meetings with the American Ambassador, the Costa Rican Ambassador in Washington, the United States Military Academy, the Costa Rican Secretary of State, and finally with the President of Costa Rica – a 1979 West Point graduate himself. My efforts paid off; by official request from the President, the U.S. State Department reopened admissions to Costa Ricans in 1996.”

Jimenez persevered and eventually graduated in 2001. His difficulties did not end there; he was unable to commission as a second lieutenant due to his citizenship status. He wanted so badly to become a soldier, that he attended school and worked full-time while applying for citizenship.

“After years of waiting in line, I was granted citizenship by naturalization. It was one of my proudest moments. I enlisted as a specialist in 2010, and in 2011 - 10 years after I graduated from West Point - I obtained my commission as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.”

He ended his remarks with his appreciation of his fellow soldiers and peers.

“I was born in Costa Rica. I am Hispanic. More importantly – I am an American, and I am an American soldier.”

Jimenez graduated in February from Virginia Tech University with a doctorate in systems and industrial engineering applied to health care acquired infections. While a student and cadet at West Point, he met his wife who is now serving as an active duty veterinarian in Sigonella, Italy.

• Date Taken: 10.17.2014
• Date Posted: 10.17.2014 10:49
• Story ID: 145323
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW