Army professionalism

Photo By Chung Il Kim | Spc. Sermin Longoria is an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter mechanic from 2nd Squadron 6th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, interviewed with the 2nd CAB Public Affairs Office right after his board on Camp Humphreys, South Korea.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

08.04.2015

Story by Chung Il Kim 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea - When do you call a person a professional? If a person exudes extraordinary competence in his or her job and is looked at by his peers and superiors with confidence to complete every task at hand, then that person could be could be called a professional.

Spc. Sermin Longoria from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, is an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter mechanic and has been commended for the professionalism he has conducted while serving with his unit here in South Korea.

As a crew chief, Spc. Longoria shows and teaches incoming Soldiers regardless of rank all about the Kiowa and the maintenance needed to ensure they are mission capable.

“We have just gotten new Soldiers from the 209th Aviation Support Battalion from Hawaii,” said Longoria. “I had to demonstrate to them the proper maintenance of an OH-58 Kiowa from scratch.”

According to his superiors, Spc. Longoria has a reputation of being the “go-to” Soldier whenever there is a question or problem about the OH-58 Kiowa.

“Spc. Longoria needs no supervision,” said Sgt. Edwin Baires, an OH-58 helicopter mechanic crew chief from the 2-6 Cavalry. “He is a very intelligent Soldier who gets the job done. Whenever Spc. Longoria’s juniors or peers ask him questions, he has the answer.”

“I never knew that I loved teaching,” said Longoria. “I enjoy helping other Soldiers understand the Kiowa and the importance of their job.”

Longoria finds communicating the proper message to teach the Soldiers is the most difficult part about educating them. In fact, teaching requires complete understanding of the subject. Longoria’s expertise in OH-58 Kiowa comes not only from the predecessors and leaders before him, but also from his personal endeavor to learn.

“Even after work hours, I would stay at the office to study on my own to fully understand the functions, mechanics and other details about the OH-58 Kiowa,” said Longoria.

As a matter of fact, Longoria already holds a bachelor’s degree in International Law and International Relation from the California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.

“Working in the Army, I’m already part of an international relation community,” said Longoria.

He plans to earn a master’s degree while in the military to further advance his education. In the future, he wants to work at the United Nations and become a delegate to fully fledge his specialty in international politics.

Spc. Longoria believes that the key to becoming a professional Soldier is simple.

“Right time, right place, and right uniform,” said Longoria. “You should also be dedicated to what you do.”

• Date Taken: 08.04.2015
• Date Posted: 08.03.2015 23:12
• Story ID: 172026
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR