Soldier is proud of the chance to serve in the strongest Army of all

Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Svetlana Nikolaeva, a supply specialist with 1-3 Brigade Troops Battalion, prepares for a convoy at Forward Operating Base Dagger. Nikolaeva is a Uzbekistanian immigrant who says she is proud to give something back to her new country by serving in Iraq.  

09.06.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Jimmy D. Lane Jr.
1st BCT PAO

The United States of America is a country of immigrants. People of all races and all nations have come to America to find a better life. Some of those people wanted more than just better opportunities; they wanted a chance to give something back to a country that has given them a better life by serving in its military.

One such person is 25 year-old Pfc. Svetlana Nikolaeva, supply specialist for 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Brigade Troops Battalion. Nikolaeva was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She immigrated to Alaska from Uzbekistan in December, 2002.

"I wanted a better life," Nikolaeva said. "There weren't as many opportunities in Russia as there are in America. It was hard to get a job."

Nikolaeva had a minimal proficiency in English before leaving Uzbekistan. She continued learning English upon her arrival to the states.

"I started taking all the classes I could, and got a job at the University of Alaska in the Russian-English Center," she said.


Nikolaeva met a man from near Moscow while in church in Alaska. The man's name was Alexander, and the two got married. After being in Alaska for a little over a year and a half, Nikolaeva decided to join the Army in May, 2004. She said she had been thinking about it for a long time.

"I wanted to joint the Army, I dreamed of it for a long time," Nikolaeva said. "I wanted to experience how to be a Soldier, how to use weapons. I told my recruiter if he let me join, I would buy him lunch."

When Nikolaeva moved to Alaska, she had a couple of friends, but she wanted to be a part of something bigger.

"It is part of the reason I joined the Army, to be part of a community," she said. "If I was going to stay here, I wanted to give something."

While she wanted to be a part of something, Nikolaeva had many reasons for joining. Part of that was a feeling of pride for her new home.

"I joined the Army because I wanted to give something to the country, I wanted to be a part of it," Nikolaeva said. "It will benefit me in many ways. The Army takes care of you."

Nikolaeva went through many changes in a short time since leaving Uzbekistan. The Army was a big step, but she knew she was up to the challenge, while she still reserved a few small fears.

"I knew I was strong, I knew I could handle the training because I was morally strong," she said. "My biggest fear was understanding English. I didn't even know what at ease meant. I kind of had to start over."

Nikolaeva said she knew she was coming to Iraq; she had been informed repeatedly to be ready since joining the Army.

"I was already prepared for the deployment," Nikolaeva said. "In basic training they told us everyday "you're going to Iraq.""

Since coming to Iraq and actually getting to experience a Soldier's life, Nikolaeva said it will all be worth it in the end.

"I enjoy the Army; it opened me up and introduced me to so many new people," Nikolaeva said. "I got new friends. I am honored to serve in the strongest Army of all. I will always have stories to tell my children, and they will be proud of my service. I am just proud to serve my country, and it is my country."

Nikolaeva's parents still live in Uzbekistan, and she has two brothers who live in Russia.

She plans to get out of Army and go back to school, majoring in international relations at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

• Date Taken: 09.06.2005
• Date Posted: 09.06.2005 14:00
• Story ID: 2902