SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Phoenix Recruiting Battalion hosted Army Reserve leadership at a Reserve Recruiting Partnership Council (R2PC), Aug. 16, Armed Forces Reserve Center, Scottsdale, Arizona.
The purpose of the R2PC was to improve communications and mutual partnerships between the Phoenix Rec. Bn. and reserve units within Arizona, in order to fill critical reserve vacancies.
Guest speaker for the R2PC was Mario Diaz, Arizona Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), who spoke about his role as a CASA and leadership lessons learned during his extensive career as a government consultant.
“The role of the CASA is a very important one and for me represents being a patriot and an American,” Diaz said. “CASA’s are federal government employees and aren’t compensated monetarily – my compensation is being able to help you and your families. That’s the most important part for me.”
Diaz, a CASA since Jan. 2017, said there are over 100 CASA’s throughout the country, all of whom provide advice and support to Army leadership.
“In every state and territory, there’s a CASA … we’re selected because we’re wired into the community,” Diaz continued. “We know elected officials, the governor, senators and congress people. That’s why the secretary of the Army appoints us.”
Diaz talked about his political career, which included running campaigns for former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and former presidential candidate John Kerry, which helped him develop important leadership skills.
“I had met Janet Napolitano at a networking event and she hired me to be her law enforcement liaison,” he said. “Janet told me she was running to become the first female Attorney General of Arizona in 1999. I quit my job, ran her campaign and won. When she told me she was running for governor in 2003, I quit my job again, ran that campaign and won.”
Taking what he had learned from these campaigns, Diaz said he successfully ran the primary campaign for John Kerry in 2004, which he considered a plateau.
“All this from a kid from East Los Angeles, who wasn’t supposed to amount to anything as a child,” Diaz said.
Diaz, who runs his own consultancy firm, said he achieved this from simple perseverance and challenged all those present to do the same.
“As recruiters, you have to believe in yourself. My assumption is you come across a lot of Mario Diaz’s, who just need that extra help,” he added. “What will really convince them is if you open up about yourself and your life. Those individuals who open up a little more and show their human side, usually succeed.”
Diaz said he is committed to helping the local Army community to the best of his abilities as a CASA.
“We have our profession as Soldiers and this is what we need to convey to the new recruits,” Diaz said. “If I can open up doors to a new school district, university, or elected officials, call me. I try to put my time to its best use and if you need me, I’ll be there.”