Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class MARK S BRISON | 180325-N-WM467-0011 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (March 25, 2018) U.S. Air Force...... read more read more
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“A job was providing, but I wanted more than a job. I wanted to contribute something. I wanted a mission. The Air Force has given my life purpose by being a servant leader to my country.”
SSgt. Silva-Cruz is fluent in Spanish and English. Spanish was his first language. Silva-Cruz started speaking English after he came to the U.S.
"I work with a lot of people that speak Spanish and being able to speak two languages has helped me embrace the diversity of the Air Force."
Since his enlistment Silva-Cruz has served in several places, from Afghanistan to South Korea. I asked SSgt. Silva-Cruz what motivates him to get up every day and do his job.
“I’m happy to have meaning, where my actions contribute to the safety of our nation. That motivates me to do my job to the best of my ability every day.”
Silva-Cruz and his family moved to Hawaii in August of 2016. He is attached to the 647th Civil Engineering Squadron, but works for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii Public Works Department Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Public Works Department handles work orders, customer complaints and processes job satisfaction surveys for all government locations on the island.
I asked Silva-Cruz if he felt a sense of pride by serving in the Air Force.
“Yes, I am proud to be the first person in my family to serve and I hope to make it a family trend.”
SSgt. Silva-Cruz is focused on making a positive impact and spends some of his spare time volunteering at the Airman’s Attic, a nonprofit organization where service members can come get household items for free.
“I am a positive person and that attitude has a positive effect on those that serve and volunteer with me. I remember moving into my first place as a young Airman. I had nothing. That’s why I volunteer at the attic.”
Silva-Cruz and his wife and son spend time together every afternoon and on the weekends. His son Jonathan, 10, plays several sports. They are always practicing or going to games in their free time.
“I love Hawaii. Having my family here makes it feel like I never left home, like I never left the mainland. The weather allows me to plan a lot of family activities out in nature.”
Silva-Cruz loves what he does and plans to retire from the Air Force.
“I always think of the three Air Force core values. Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. I think of those three things and I take them with me wherever I go.”
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2018 17:25 |
| Story ID: | 271969 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Faces of PACOM U.S. Air Force SSgt. Jose M. Silva-Cruz, by PO2 MARK S BRISON, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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