Photo By Master Sgt. Christopher Milbrodt | As a newly promoted flag officer, Brig. Gen. Valeria Gonzalez-Kerr uncases her flag...... read more read more
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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – As a Soldier, your work is never done. You can always improve your fighting position, ensure the well-being of your subordinates, take time to mentor junior Soldiers while learning from those appointed over you, and stay focused on mission success. For one Soldier, her hard work and dedication has paid off, but a greater challenge has been presented. The Florida National Guard welcomed a new flag officer today as Col. Valeria Gonzalez-Kerr was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
“Today, Col. Gonzalez-Kerr becomes the second female general in the Florida National Guard, the first Hispanic female to make general in the history of the Florida National Guard and she continues to make her mark on our history,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the Adjutant General of Florida. “It is not just her being a first that makes today a special day. As everyone knows, military promotions are meant to recognize the potential of the service member and G-K clearly has demonstrated through exceptional military service and tough assignments that she has the potential to lead as a general.”
While this promotion is a historic first, Gonzalez-Kerr does not view it as something to dwell on. “I have taken every step that an officer should take. All the same stepping stones that my peers would have done, I have as well,” said Gonzalez-Kerr. “It’s really more about doing things like everyone else has done, I just happen to be female and I just happen to be Hispanic.”
The group in attendance at the ceremony was a blend of family members, military peers, and invited guests which turned the cedar room at St. Francis Barracks into a standing-room only event. According to Calhoun, a group that size is a testament to her character and career as an officer.
“One of the many things that makes her a great officer is her ability to humanize and personalize her contact with others,” said Calhoun.
Gonzalez-Kerr has served at every level of command in her career, starting as a young 2nd Lt. platoon leader through her current position as the assistant adjutant general for support.
“It has been a wonderful journey and I have had a wonderful career and I hope to continue to do great things in the Florida National Guard,” said Gonzalez-Kerr. “My goal is to have a good path for other people to follow. I want other officers to see that yes, it might take longer to reach your goals such as becoming a general, but it can be done.”
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2015 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 182935 |
| Location: | FL, US |
| Web Views: | 714 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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