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    Ironhorse Soldier gains citizenship, shoots for American dream

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    Photo By Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues | Spc. Mark David Onomeyovwe, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th...... read more read more

    FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

    01.22.2016

    Courtesy Story

    1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

    FORT HOOD, Texas - “Like my mom used to say, you can’t start climbing a tree from the top - you have to start from the bottom,” said Spc. Mark David Onomeyovwe.

    Onomeyovwe, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, left Nigeria and came to America to pursue further education and better opportunities.

    With family already in the U.S. willing to vouch for his permanent resident status, Onomeyovwe had his future plans already drawn up, he said.

    “I have a bachelor’s degree in economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, and came here for my master’s degree,” he said. “There was a competition for a teaching assistant position at a school here, but priority went to American citizens first.”

    Unable to get into graduate school, Onomeyovwe adjusted his plans and enlisted in the Army to serve his new country, and to continue to pursue educational opportunities.

    “I’m the kind of person who loves service, and so I said, ‘OK, I can join the Army,’” he said, as he entered the service in late 2014. “The benefits are great, but more importantly the self-esteem in service is there for me.”

    During One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Army officials began the naturalization process for Onomeyovwe.

    “In basic training, they sent my paperwork to immigration services and the Army vouched for me,” he said. “The Army was able to expedite my citizenship.”

    Once he got to Fort Hood, he received help from Army Community Service’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department, he said.

    “For a lot of folks it might take six months to a year, but for Soldiers here on Fort Hood, they can be naturalized within 30 days of the interview process,” said Tomya Hearson, ACS Outreach Program coordinator.

    Onomeyovwe, who officially became a U.S. citizen Nov. 18, says the next step is to begin the naturalization process for his wife, Adebayo Oluwabunmi Grace, and to get back into graduate school courses as he takes a stab at the American Dream.

    “The freedom - the chance - is available to you in America to do whatever you want to do,” said Onomeyovwe.

    Onomeyovwe and his wife recently welcomed a baby girl, Gabriella, into the world; just another reason he wants to make the most out of his experience with the Army and his life in the United States, he said.

    As 1st ABCT arrives to the Korean peninsula in February, Onomeyovwe said he is looking forward to serving in a different part of the world and the challenges that will come with the mission.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.22.2016
    Date Posted: 01.25.2016 15:45
    Story ID: 186997
    Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US

    Web Views: 94
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN