Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Heather Denby | Guadalupe and husband Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Villarreal, command sergeant major for...... read more read more
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – The Army is filled with programs designed to benefit its service members and help military families. Once in a while, this benefit comes in the form of a smiling, thoughtful military spouse who transforms lives and lifts spirits. Guadalupe Villarreal is that kind of person.
Villarreal was notified Jan. 9, 2016, regarding her selection as the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Spouse of the Year for Osan Air Base. After serving Soldiers and their families for 25 years, Villarreal was now getting some much-deserved recognition.
“My father always told me to help those in need and others will help you,” Villarreal said. “He said to always improve yourself and assist others.”
Guadalupe, known as Lupe by her friends, is a well-known face in Area III where she is employed as a health promotions officer for Eighth Army. Her dear friend, Melissa Kuhlman, whom Villarreal was stationed with at Fort Bliss, Texas, submitted the nomination for the competition.
“We were stationed at Fort Bliss together in 2012-2013, and during our time at the unit, I observed Lupe serving her family, the Army, the Family Readiness Group, the unit, the El Paso community and wounded veterans all while working full-time,” said Kuhlman.
After being notified of Kuhlman’s submission, Villarreal’s next step was to provide a bio and short video clip introducing herself to the selection board.
“Now that I reflect on the process, it was basically like selling yourself,” Villarreal said. “I ended up taking some stuff off because it looked too much like a resume.”
In her description of herself, Villarreal wrote about her accomplishments over her lengthy career as a military spouse but her demeanor changed when she talks about what she deems her biggest contribution.
“I am most proud of founding the El Paso Chapter for the National Association of Professional Women,” she said. “For 15 months, I provided guest speakers for the ladies on a monthly basis covering professional topics like marketing, running their own business and equal employment opportunities.”
Villarreal said the group of women was a varied group.
“During my tenure with NAPW as the chapter president, I led, mentored and motivated other professional women, to include military spouses, female service members and professional women who worked in the local community. It was about helping them reach their professional goals,” she said.
Villarreal’s sense of self-improvement is remarkable considering she came to the United States in 1990 speaking no English and now holds a master’s degree in business.
“She learned English, earned her bachelor’s and her master’s degree all while serving as an Army wife,” said Kuhlman. “One example I witnessed was Lupe encouraging a new military spouse to pursue getting her GED despite the cost, and encouraging her to not stop there but to continue getting her education. She is an example to so many spouses.”
Kuhlman is proud of Villarreal and the way she lives her life.
“I nominated Lupe for the military spouse of the year because I know wherever the Army sends her family, she will be an encouraging leader, who invests the time in mentoring new Army spouses. She is an example for so many to live a life of selfless service,” said Kuhlman.
Military life has its ups and downs, which is no different for Villarreal, who said about seven years ago, during a normal marital squabble, she had one of those “aha” moments about her life.
“My husband and I were arguing. I told him that sometime his Soldiers were more important than me,” Villarreal recalled. “He told me it was true, and said, ‘You are important to them because they fight for your freedom,’ and said for that reason he had to make them his priority.”
Her realization was that as a military spouse she belonged to something much bigger than herself.
“It is about the organization my husband represents - the Soldiers and their families,” Villarreal said.
Since the announcement, Villarreal and her husband, Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Villarreal, have relocated to Eighth Army headquarters based in U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, where she no doubt will continue her service of leading and helping others.
“There is no dull moment in my life. I am always working, helping and learning. My best reward is to empower others,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2016 20:23 |
| Story ID: | 188527 |
| Location: | OSAN AIR BASE, KR |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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