Big Red One Soldier Receives LATINA Style Award

Photo By Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff | U.S Army Sgt. 1st Class Madelyne M. Rodriguez, a unit supply senior non-commissioned officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, was one of 22 service members to receive the 2022 LATINA Style Meritorious Service Award at the 19th National LATINA Symposium in Washington, D.C., Sept. 29, 2022. Since the creation of the LATINA Style Symposium in 2004, 209 Hispanic women have received this award. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine Bravo)  

FORT RILEY, KS, UNITED STATES

09.29.2022

Story by Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT RILEY, Kan. – U.S Army Sgt. 1st Class Madelyne M. Rodriguez, a unit supply senior non-commissioned officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, was one of 22 service members to receive the 2022 LATINA Style Meritorious Service Award at the 19th National LATINA Symposium in Washington, D.C., Sept. 29, 2022.
The LATINA Style 2022 Meritorious Service Award is to recognize military and Department of Defense civilian personnel who have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organizations in the areas of equal opportunity, civil rights programs, and public service to local communities.
“It’s for my contributions to the Hispanic community," Rodriguez said. “That all means so much more to me than anything else.”
The highlight of this year's LATINA Symposium was the Distinguished Military Service Awards Luncheon honoring Latinas serving in the Armed Forces.
Since the creation of the LATINA Style Symposium in 2004, 209 Hispanic women have received this award.
Rodriguez was born in Mao Valverde, Dominican Republic, and lived there until the age of nine. Rodriguez then migrated to Washington Heights in New York City and enlisted in the United States Army in 2003. She attended basic combat training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced individual training for 92A, automated logistical specialist in Fort Lee, Virginia. Rodriguez later reclassified to 92Y, unit supply specialist, currently serving as the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Bn. 7th FA 1st Sgt.
Rodriguez learned about her acceptance for this award while on rotation with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Ca, August 2022.
Rodriguez said it was a very humbling experience for her.
Throughout her career and up to her current command position, Rodriguez strived to be a mentor not only to the Hispanic Soldiers but to all Soldiers.
“I’m going to help other Soldiers grow,” said Rodriguez. “Not just Hispanics, but all Soldiers.”
When faced with an injury Rodriguez got surgery on her knee and looked at what her life would look like outside of the Army.
“I’m going to retire,” said Rodriguez. “Until I do, I’m going to keep contributing, even beyond my retirement.”

• Date Taken: 09.29.2022
• Date Posted: 10.03.2022 14:38
• Story ID: 430616
• Location: FORT RILEY, KS, US