Year of the Noncommissioned Officer - NCO Spotlight

By Army.milJanuary 12, 2009

Sgt. Lisa Morales
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Sgt. Lisa Morales

Age: 23

Current Position: Command Post Node Team Chief

Current Unit: 11th Signal Brigade/NETCOM

Component: Active

Current Location: Kuwait

Hometown: Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Years of Service: 4

One of the Army's "Best Warriors" arrived back in Kuwait last week, rejoining the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade as the Command Post Node Team Chief for Company A.

As one of the first female Soldiers ever to compete in the U.S. Army's Best Warrior Competition, Sgt. Lisa Morales has had a history-making year. In 2008, she became the first female noncommissioned officer to represent Forces Command (FORSCOM) and the first Soldier to represent Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) in the competition.

Morales has earned a reputation for incredible determination, skill and heart. Her contributions as a Soldier have made her a core part of the Army's backbone. It is the same determination and heart that have also made her the backbone of her large family.

Raised by her grandmother in Sierra Vista, Ariz. alongside her four siblings, Morales has always placed a priority on her family. At age 20, she adopted her 13-year-old sister whose father was battling illness and could not provide care for her. At a time when others her age were still looking to their parents to care for them, she was assuming parenting responsibilities for her sister's teen years.

As she prepared to leave for Kuwait only a few short weeks ago, Morales joked that she was the only twenty-three-year-old Soldier also preparing for high school parent-teacher conferences.

Morales' deployment to Kuwait is her second. She previously deployed to Iraq in 2005. Her brother, whom she credits as her inspiration for joining the Army, is currently serving in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division.