Soldier serving overseas becomes US citizen

By Sgt. Julieanne MorseJuly 11, 2013

Soldier serving overseas becomes US citizen
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Pvt. Robby Paz, a Honduras native and an infantryman with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, swears the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America during a natu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier serving overseas becomes US citizen
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Pvt. Robby Paz, a Honduras natives and an infantryman with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, holds his certificate of naturalization with Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., comm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier serving overseas becomes US citizen
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Pvt. Robby Paz, an infantryman with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, receives official documents and an American flag from Command Sgt. Maj. Alonzo Smith, the Regiona... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - It is often stated in the military that less than one percent of the American people serve, in order to encourage U.S. service members to take pride in their service.

Some of the service members who give their time to serve the U.S. aren't U.S. citizens, like U.S. Army Pvt. Robby Paz, who recently became a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony on Bagram Airfield, July 4.

Paz was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and grew up in El Salvador. He moved to Pasadena, Calif., in 1999 and graduated from John Muir High School in 2011. In August 2012, Paz enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman.

"I wanted to do something that I could be proud of," said Paz. "I wanted to be a part of freedom. Not just be part of it, but fight for it."

In November 2012, he began the process of becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S. At that time, not assigned to a permanent duty station yet, he said he never thought he'd be naturalized while serving overseas.

Stationed at Combat Outpost Dashe Towp, Wardak province, Paz is now serving with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and is currently the driver for his platoon leader.

"We usually try to pick the most experienced people that we trust to actually drive since the terrain is not exactly user friendly," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kenton Gottshall, a squad leader with Co. A. "It's a pretty big responsibility for him since he is the lowest ranking driver that we have."

Inspite of being the lowest ranking driver, he is a valuable member of the team.

"Serving with him, I'd have him by my side any day of the week out in combat," said Gottshall, a Woodstock, Ga., native.

The process to become a U.S. citizen is no easy task, especially while serving in combat overseas.

"By virtue of their current honorable service deployed overseas, they are given the privilege of taking the oath of citizenship overseas," said Walter Haith, field office director for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Manila, Philippines.

"Once they make their application, the application is vetted for a series of checks," said Haith. "After those checks are clear, those applications are presented to us so that we can schedule and conduct an interview. During the interview, we ask a number of questions as to their personal and professional history and make sure that they understand the oath of citizenship that they are to take."

Thirty-seven service members, including Paz, completed the requirements to become naturalized at the ceremony on Independence Day.

The service members recited the oath of allegiance and then the Pledge of Allegiance before receiving their certificates.

"Being naturalized on the 4th of July here at Bagram, is amazing," said Paz. "It's unique. I wasn't expecting it. This is pretty outstanding."

"For him to step up, put our uniform on and do our job before he even became a naturalized citizen just shows that he actually wanted it more than probably anybody else, and he is most deserving to have become a citizen today," said Gottshall.

Paz attributes his success to his mother, Elsy Ortiz, a hard-working, single mom who raised him.

"I thank her for everything; for the opportunities she gave me," said Paz.

He said his mom would often tell him, "Don't let anyone set a limit on you. Go as far as you can and don't ever give up."

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