SOUTH KOREA - In the movies, the name Rambo brings images of a fictional warrior who steps up for his country when called upon, but in today’s Army, Rambo is a name associated with real patriotism and leadership.
Pvt. Devin M. Rambo, who enlisted in the Army as an intelligence analyst March 20, 2012, decided to take on a goal of becoming an officer by going through the Green to Gold Program.
“I want to make the most out of my experience in the military than just going through the enlisted ranks,” Rambo said. “When I think of commanding as an officer, I think of leading and influencing the people that are in charge of leading soldiers.”
He had his sights on a military life and the goals that would follow well before swearing an oath.
“I wanted to do something for my country and I felt like my country needed me. I enjoy the brother and sisterhood that you cannot find anywhere and I love feeling that I have purpose in my life,” Rambo said. “Furthermore, I always saw my dad in the Army as a young kid and I could not see myself doing something else because that was just everyday part of my life.”
“I am committed to the military, so I am going to put my full heart into it. As an officer, I would like to get the upper hand on my father one day to kind of beat him at something. And one day hopefully, I expect to see myself making it somewhere where I will be remembered or where I can make a difference.”
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ryan T. Rambo, who climbed his way through the Army’s enlisted ranks for 14 years before switching, became the biggest inspiration for his son to ascend the ladder of leadership.
“I looked into the work that my dad has done, and it is spectacular. He is passionate about the Army and his country, and he is one of the most squared away men I have ever met,” Devin Rambo said. “He always told me all of his great experiences and great people that he met as an officer. He always talks highly of the military and how much he loves it and I wanted to be just like him.”
Advice from his father guided Devin through making hard decisions at important moments in his life.
“One of the pieces of advice that he gave me was ‘do the things that makes you happy, and everything else will fall into line’,” Devin Rambo said. “He always gives me good advice, and always pushes me to go for the things that I wanted to do to better myself. I would not be here today if I did not have the advice my dad gave me and him having my back with everything that I have done.”
Devin Rambo’s passion for leadership roles on sports teams, in music groups and in clubs transitioned him straight into a uniform and in front of soldiers.
“Devin was always a very compassionate, smart, intelligent, athletic, charismatic, and thoughtful person, who from a young age displayed the characteristics of a natural leader,” Ryan Rambo said. “When Devin suggested becoming an officer, I encouraged and supported him wholeheartedly. I want him to accomplish more than me in his career than I did.”
“At basic training, I had a huge opportunity to lead my squad and I loved to have soldiers that I can lead and to teach them the right way,” Devin Rambo said.
“Instead of being a leader who leads from the sidelines, I want to be the one who actually goes through everything with my soldiers. This will improve my legitimacy as a leader and will show my soldiers that I am willing to lead my soldiers through the tasks and missions that I command.”
Within a year of service, Devin Rambo has drawn positive attention from senior leadership.
“Rambo has many talents. He is skilled, dedicated and a highly motivated young intelligence analyst who performs to perfection without supervision,” said Lt. Col. Ki T. Lee, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command G-2 assistant chief of staff. “Coupled with his positivity and capability, he will become an excellent leader someday.”
Devin Rambo’s consistency of professionalism and desire gives his predecessors hope for the next generation of soldiers.
“I hope I am there to give my son his first salute. As with almost all parents, I want my children to achieve more than me,” Ryan Rambo said. “I'm very proud of Devin and his accomplishments.”
Date Taken: | 02.13.2013 |
Date Posted: | 02.13.2013 02:34 |
Story ID: | 101887 |
Location: | DAEGU GWANG'YEOGSI [TAEGU-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
Web Views: | 164 |
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