NATICK, Mass. – Sometimes serving one’s country goes hand-in-hand with achieving one’s life goals. That’s the case for Private First Class Careli Arevalo.
The 20-year-old Soldier is dedicated to serving her country and is currently a Human Research Volunteer, or HRV, at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC.
She also recently become a naturalized citizen. For Arevalo, who came to the United States from Peru when she was 19 years old, becoming a U.S. citizen was a dream come true.
“I feel so happy to be a citizen,” said Arevalo.
Arevalo is doing important work for the nation as an HRV. HRVs play a vital role in the research, development, and testing of Soldier equipment, clothing, and combat rations. HRVs also help researchers garner a better understanding of human performance. Soldier feedback drives all research and development at DEVCOM SC.
During their 90-day to 120-day temporary duty period at DEVCOM SC, HRVs participate in a wide variety of studies, including protective clothing and equipment testing, cold-weather/hot-weather clothing and equipment testing, physical performance testing, nutrition studies and sleep studies — to name just a few research areas.
Arevalo joined the Army because she wanted to serve the country. She was also interested in continuing her education. She has already taken some college courses in health science, and she wants to continue. Her goal is to ultimately become a physician’s assistant.
“The Army was offering money for school,” said Arevalo. “So, I thought, ‘why not?’”
Female HRVs like Arevalo play an important role in DEVCOM SC’s commitment to meeting the needs of female Soldiers. The roles of female Soldiers are continuously expanding, and female HRVs help DEVCOM SC researchers garner insights into meeting the equipment and performance needs of female Soldiers.
“DEVCOM Soldier Center is dedicated to researching and developing clothing and equipment designed specifically to meet the needs of female Soldiers, including uniforms, body armor, eye protection and helmets,” said Douglas Tamilio, director of DEVCOM SC. “Female HRVs help DEVCOM SC better meet the needs of female Soldiers now and in the future.”
As a person of small stature Arevalo’s participation also helps researchers gain insights into the needs of Soldiers of different sizes. Proper fitting clothing and equipment play a key role in the safety of Soldiers and in their ability to do their jobs.
“I feel really grateful that I can be part of studies that will help other Soldiers and improve their equipment,” said Arevalo. “I can also help because I am female and because I am very short.”
As a new citizen, Arevalo has already contributed to the nation and plans to continue to do so.
“I’m very grateful to be here,” said Arevalo. “I want to continue to serve my country.”
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About DEVCOM Soldier Center: The DEVCOM Soldier Center is committed to discovering, developing, and advancing science and technology solutions that ensure America’s warfighters are optimized, protected, and lethal. DEVCOM Soldier Center supports all of the Army's Modernization efforts, with the Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Teams being the DEVCOM Soldier Center’s chief areas of focus. The center’s science and engineering expertise are combined with collaborations with industry, DOD, and academia to advance Soldier and squad performance. The center supports the Army as it transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation to support a Multi-Domain Operations Capable Force of 2028 and a MDO Ready Force of 2035. DEVCOM Soldier Center is constantly working to strengthen Soldiers’ performance to increase readiness and support for warfighters who are organized, trained, and equipped for prompt and sustainable ground combat.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers are also an important part of the mission of DEVCOM Soldier Center. The mentoring of students by Army scientists and engineers benefits the students and their communities. It also increases young people's awareness of potential Army job opportunities and helps provide the Army with potential new talent, helping to fuel innovative ideas that benefit the nation's warfighters and the nation as a whole.
DEVCOM Soldier Center is part of DEVCOM. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, DEVCOM leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. DEVCOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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