FORT SILL, Okla., Oct. 29, 2020 -- Six years into her Army career, Sgt. Monique Lambo, a 42A Human Resources Specialist, has forged a solid foundation for her future through education and professional development.
The seeds of her academic achievements first sprouted growing up in Staten Island, New York. She said her father encouraged her to get a good education, and whenever one thing ended to have a plan in place of what to do next. That influence along with an older brother who was studying accounting motivated her to enroll as a psychology major at the College of Staten Island.
In June 2014 at the age of 23, Lambo said she got serious about her education.
“There was one semester where I received all A’s in all my classes, and I was like, ‘whoa I can actually do this,’” she said. Fortified by that success and self-awareness, she set a goal to strive for all A’s in any classes she took.
Lambo said her path to the Army came through a recruiting jingle that got her attention.
“I used to see the Be All You Can Be commercials on TV, and it just made me want to do something that is bigger than myself,” she said.
Lambo settled in at her first duty station, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, intent to satisfy one of her primary goals – to start on her master’s degree in human resources management.
However, she would have to wait a while before getting started. She said back then new Soldiers were required to complete a year of active-duty service at their first duty station before they could receive tuition assistance to go to school.
To be best prepared to start her master’s program, Lambo visited the education center to find a school that offered the degree program she wanted. She said Brandman University, one of several schools that held classes on post, was her best fit.
Lambo laughed when she recalled just how excited she was when her wait time ended and she could begin her master’s program.
With a preference for classroom learning rather than online courses, she started the demanding schedule that would see her through to the degree completion in 18 months. Physical training started at 7 a.m. instead of before sunrise, then Lambo worked until 5:30 p.m. before heading off to class for another two and a half to three hours. But her day didn’t end there as she needed to study and prepare to do it all again the next day.
“There were so many nights I didn’t go to bed until 2 or 3 a.m., but I still woke up and went to PT,” she said.
Despite that taxing schedule, Lambo graduated with a 4.0 GPA and completed a certificate in organizational leadership.
Having completed her master’s, she intends to focus on finishing additional certifications. So far, she has added the Associate Professional Human Resources certification and the Certified Associate in Project Management.
She also just found out the Army Credentialing Assistance Program will be paying for her to take the Society for Human Resource Management certification.
Lambo said the certificates round out her portfolio of education, which may help along the way in her Army career or even in this civilian world.
“Whenever I do decide to leave the military, they will give me options,” she said.
Her next goal is to become a warrant officer in human resources.
For now, the noncommissioned officer in charge of human resources for 1st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery, Lambo supervises and leads two Soldiers.
“Being able to coach and mentor others is very important to me,” she said.
Together the trio provides personnel support for 125 permanent party Soldiers and 3,000 to 3,800 basic combat trainees annually.
Lambo said she tries to stay current on human resources whether of a military or civilian nature. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and the Project Management Institute.
On the home front, she and her husband, an information technology business owner, are doing their best to develop in their two sons an appreciation for education.
“He and I are very passionate about our careers and education,” she said. “He constantly reminds me that if I’m going to do something, I need to be the best at it.”
While Lambo admitted going to school and starting a family is difficult, she said they make it work.
“We provide ourselves with realistic timelines for when we want to accomplish our goals,” she said. “Everything we do, is so we can ensure our children have a better life and grow up to be proud of their parents.”
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