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Military Appreciation Month: 7th Signal honors those who served

By Tracy LyngeMay 31, 2024

National Military Appreciation Month is observed each May to honor and appreciate those who are currently serving or formerly served in the U.S. armed forces. In 7th Signal Command (Theater) (7SC(T)), we recognize our uniformed personnel—just over 1,000 in the United States and deployed worldwide—as well as the many veterans and reservists among our nearly 4,000 Department of Army Civilian employees.

Two of those, Mr. Stephen Giza and Mr. Carlos Morales, are current directors of 7SC(T) Network Enterprise Centers—at Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, respectively. We spoke to them recently about their experiences as Army Soldiers then Civilians.

Mr. Giza, the Ft. Stewart NEC Director, grew up around the military; his father served in the Navy during Vietnam, and both grandfathers served in World War II. “The military is baked into my DNA, you could say,” Mr. Giza said.

He entered the Army in 1987 and worked in aviation electronics in several CONUS and OCONUS locations. “The military has something for everyone,” Mr. Giza remarked, “no matter who you are or what you want to do in life. It provides an avenue to see the world and get skills and training, and to advance in any career you choose.”

SGT Stephen Giza during Operation Desert Storm, 1991
SGT Stephen Giza during Operation Desert Storm, 1991 (Photo Credit: Photo provided by Stephen Giza) VIEW ORIGINAL

After Operation Desert Storm, Mr. Giza decided to pursue a civilian career, becoming a contractor for Army Aviation and Missile Command. Eventually his career led him to Ft. Stewart, and in 2010 he joined the Ft. Stewart Directorate of Information Management, which became the Network Enterprise Center (NEC).

“[The Army NEC is] the tip of the spear in delivering enterprise services to the customer,” explained Mr. Giza. “We are putting the phone on your desk, programming the radios for base emergency services, troubleshooting why your computer is not connecting…we are the face of the command.”

Although Mr. Giza left active duty before his children were born, like him they grew up around the military and knew the advantages an Army career could provide. His son, Bryce Giza, is currently a Specialist assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Cavazos, Texas.

Ft. Stewart NEC Director and Army veteran Stephen Giza poses with his wife, Kathy, and their son, Army SPC Bryce L. Giza.
L-R: Kathy Giza, SPC Bryce Giza, and Ft. Stewart NEC Director Stephen Giza (Photo Credit: Photo provided by Stephen Giza) VIEW ORIGINAL

“He got loaned out to a tank crew and is driving M1 Abrams now, living his best life. He’s also doing college on his off time,” Mr. Giza added proudly.

Mr. Carlos Morales, Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico NEC Director, never intended to join the Army, but looking back, he reflected that it was the right path to take.

“My goal was to enter the military, help my family and finish my doctorate degree in medicine. But I was commissioned as an Infantry officer after Officer Candidate School and enjoyed the military life,” Mr. Morales remarked. “I spent 23 years active duty—I liked the camaraderie and the sense of family.”

LTC Carlos Morales (on right) poses with his young son, JanCarlos Morales, in Yongsan Korea, August 2003
LTC Carlos Morales (on right) and son JanCarlos Morales, Yongsan Korea, August 2003
(Photo Credit: Photo provided by Carlos Morales)
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Although he began in Infantry, Mr. Morales transitioned to the Signal Corps, retiring in 2010 as Deputy G-3 at the then-new 7th Signal Command (Theater) Headquarters. Mr. Morales began his DAC career at Army Installation Management Command Headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio, Ft. Sam Houston.

From there, he moved to the 56th Signal Battalion, then 106th Signal Brigade, and took the NEC director opportunity at Ft. Buchanan in Puerto Rico when it arose. As Ft. Buchanan falls under the 93d Signal Brigade, Mr. Morelos noted he may be the only person who has served in all three of 7SC(T)’s subordinate brigades and the command headquarters.

Like Mr. Giza, Mr. Morales’ son chose to follow him into military service. CPL JanCarlos Morales serves as a Combat Medic in 3rd Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

Ft. Buchanan NEC Director Carlos Morales poses with his wife Verona and son JanCarlos Morales, on the day JanCarlos enlisted in the U.S. Army.
L-R Verona Morales, JanCarlos Morales, Ft. Buchanan NEC Director Carlos Morales (Photo Credit: Photo provided by Carlos Morales) VIEW ORIGINAL

“He went into the Army in March 2020…during COVID, so it was a challenging time,” Mr. Morales said. He added that despite the inauspicious beginning, JanCarlos is thriving in his career.

As a final thought, Mr. Morales shared a quote from Roberto Clemente, which reflects the mindset of so many of 7SC(T)’s employees who have chosen to serve: “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, you are wasting your time on earth.”