Photo By Amy Phillips | 1st Sgt. Class Kathy Vargas and her HHC commander Maj. Ryan Wiggins on the big screen...... read more read more
Kathy Vargas, a Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (PRFTA) Public Works employee and a recently retired first sergeant with the 63rd Readiness Division HHC, was honored as a Hometown Hero during a December 2018 49ers game in San Francisco, Calif.
She served 32 years as a military police in the Army and Army Reserve. Her biggest take-away is “that regardless of rank, we all brings skills to the table and these skills help us function better as a team to complete tasks and mission.”
Vargas comes from a family with a long history of serving the country - her father was a retired Navy Chief, her mother also served in the Navy, and her brother and other family members serviced in the Army. But Vargas learned one of the Army’s Values - selfless service - long before she joined the Army. Her parents instilled the concept of giving back to the community, from volunteering at church or non-profit organizations, leading a Cub Scout pack, or serving in the military.
The Army sent Vargas to many places, including “some not so nice places,” and it taught her “to appreciate what I have, and especially time with family and friends, as that is not something you can ever get back,” said Vargas.
Some her favorite experiences include mentoring Soldiers and civilians, and knowing she made a difference in improving some aspect of their lives, and representing the Army at community events.
Some of her least favorite assignments early in her military police career include sitting at a look out observation point (LPOP) guarding LANCE Missile rocket launchers in Germany in the freezing temperatures, and running a HUMVEE convoy security detail with no air conditioning in the 100+ degrees of the Honduras.
After 30+ years in the military, Vargas has witnessed the downsizing of the Army and evolving to “a force that does more with less” and “working smarter, not harder through technology and innovation.”
“Although some of my assignments were not the easiest, and some not fun, all of them taught me something,” said Vargas, “The Army made me the person I am today.” She credits her military training and experience for helping her get civilian employments.
Vargas has also worked at PRFTA as a contractor and now an Army Civilian as the installation Inmate Labor Coordinator. She is responsible for program oversight and enforcement, scheduling services for the installation, as well as coordinating training for each directorate and tenant so they know the rules that govern the inmate labor program.
“The reward of this job is providing job skills to the inmates, and taking care of the Soldiers that come to Camp Parks to train or are stationed here,” said Vargas.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.15.2019 15:00 |
| Story ID: | 317638 |
| Location: | SAN FRANCISCO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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