Age: 20
Hometown: Manilla City, Philippines
Unit: 54th Quartermaster Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Trans. Brigade (Expeditionary)
Background: Rydan is the stepson of a Soldier. He has lived in Japan and the Seattle area.
Military Occupational Specialty: 92M mortuary affairs specialist. These Army professionals “draw upon specialized medical training to deliver the upmost respect and compassion while handling the remains and personal effects of Soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty,” according to www.goarmy.com.
Why he serves: “I do it for my family, but that in turn encompasses the people I serve in general. I see the people of this country as my family because they are the ones I’ve come to appreciate and come to recognize as family.”
What he most admires about military service: “The most important thing is knowing my work helps people. You don’t see the direct impact of your work, but I know there are families being helped because of the work I do.”
Goals for the future: “I think the Army provides a lot of opportunity in terms of seeing the world. I’m trying to make this my lifelong career so I can give this opportunity to my children. The greatest gift the military gave to my siblings and I is the opportunity to experience other cultures, and that in turn made us more receptive to the world.”
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