Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Spc. Selma Colesbacco poses with her U.S. citizenship certificate and American flag in...... read more read more
By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – So far, September is a big month for Spc. Selma Colesbacco.
On Sept. 1, 2008, Colesbacco, who was born on Seychelles Island and raised in Italy, became a U.S. citizen. Two days later, she was promoted to specialist.
The two events will take her closer to her ultimate goal- becoming a pilot.
"I've always wanted to fly. I love everything that flies," Colesbacco said.
She originally joined the Army for health insurance after her son had a medical emergency. Her husband's Army enlistment term had just ended, and the family didn't have insurance to cover the medical bills.
"I said, maybe the Army didn't work for you, but I might like it," she said.
Colesbacco, a human resources specialist for 41st Fires Brigade, found she does like the Army, and now she says she'll probably make it her career.
"I'm not just in the Army for my son; it's for me, too," she said.
Colesbacco has several goals for her Army career. She'd like to attend airborne school and has considered running in the Army 10-Miler, a skill she didn't realize she had until she enlisted.
Becoming a citizen presents an array of additional opportunities for her career, she said.
"My job will require a security clearance in 2010, and I wouldn't have been able to apply for one before," said Colesbacco.
Having a clearance will also allow her to pursue flying someday. Colesbacco said she hasn't ever taken flying classes, but growing up in Italy, she was able to fly throughout Europe, Africa and back to Seychelle Island cheaply, confirming her love of being in the air.
She hasn't decided whether she wants to pursue piloting fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft – she'll decide based on what will be best for her son and family, she said.
Colesbacco hopes when she re-enlists she'll be able to relocate back to Italy. U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza is close to her hometown of Bassano del Greppe, which she left when she moved to the U.S., and where her mother still lives.
| Date Taken: | 09.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2008 04:20 |
| Story ID: | 23398 |
| Location: | AL KUT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 98 |
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